There was nothing little about Big Brown's racing career. From his overpowering victories in the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness to his spectacular flop in the Belmont as he bid for a Triple Crown, Big Brown and his entourage -- including his maverick owner and outspoken trainer -- simply didn't do subtle.

Yet less than two weeks away from his final race, the brilliant champion with brittle feet ended his career not with a victory in the Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita but in front of a few stunned onlookers at Aqueduct following an otherwise routine workout.

Michael Iavarone of IEAH Stables, co-owners of Big Brown, said his horse tore a three-inch piece of flesh off the foot after it collided with his right rear foot while working over Aqueduct's turf course with stablemate Kip Deville.

"This was a complete fluke," Iavarone said. "He hadn't had issues with his feet for a while and to have him come up just like this was a shock to all of us."

The injury could take at least two months to heal, making it impossible for Big Brown to run in the BC Classic Oct. 25 at Santa Anita. Big Brown is due at Three Chimneys Farm in Midway, Ky., by the end of the year to begin his stud career, preventing him from getting back on the track one last time.

Two-time Grand Slam winner Amelie Mauresmo was upset by Victoria Azarenka, 6-2, 6-1 in the first round of the Zurich Open. Maria Kirilenko also beat Daniela Hantuchova, 7-5, 6-2, and Alona Bondarenko beat Alize Cornet, 1-6, 6-3, 7-6 (6) in the only other first-round matches indoors at Hallenstadion.

The New Orleans VooDoo of the Arena Football League plans to cease operations despite being near the top of the league in attendance the past two seasons. Saints owner Tom Benson, who also owns the VooDoo, said the decision to fold the franchise was "not an indictment of [the New Orleans] marketplace." Benson told the AFL of his decision, saying it was based on "circumstances currently affecting the league and the team."

Two more people involved in the killing of former Villanova basketball star Howard Porter were sentenced. Fredquinzo King was sentenced to 45 years Monday in district court in Minneapolis. He had pleaded guilty earlier. Tonya Washington, who pleaded guilty in February to aggravated robbery, was sentenced to 10 years. Porter was beaten to death in May 2007. Porter led Villanova to the 1971 NCAA championship game and was chosen the tournament's outstanding player.

• Robert Morris basketball fans will have an opportunity Thursday night to see the 2008-09 editions of the men's and women's teams at 9 p.m. at the Sewall Center. Admission is free. Thursday night, each team will practice while free pizza is given away to fans, who will have chances to win prizes.

The 76ers picked up the third-year options on the contracts of Jason Smith and forward Thaddeus Young. Young, the 12th overall pick in the 2007 draft, averaged 8.2 points and 4.2 rebounds in 74 games last season. Smith averaged 4.5 points in 76 games last season.