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Big Brown The One To Beat

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By SCOTT CARTER

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 7, 2008

ELMONT, N.Y. - As the national anthem played over the loudspeakers Friday afternoon an hour before a $23,000 claiming race opened a 10-race card, the scene at Belmont Park was rather subdued.

The grandstand sat mostly empty, and with only a few bettors and racing fans scattered about, it seemed nearly impossible to fathom what the 103-year-old racetrack will be like today as Big Brown attempts to become the first Triple Crown winner in 30 years.

While Friday served as the calm before the storm - Belmont Park officials are estimating a crowd of 100,000 or more for today's 140th running of the Belmont Stakes - Big Brown's presence was everywhere, his name plastered on everything from T-shirts in the gift shop to signs posted on the floors entering the clubhouse.

Most telling, perhaps, was the long banner hanging along the rail down the homestretch, occupying the final 30 yards before the finish line.

"What Can Big Brown Do For You?"

The banner delivers a high-profile ad for UPS, the shipping company Big Brown is named after, but in reality, its placement suggests what Big Brown's trainer, Rick Dutrow Jr., has been saying since the undefeated 3-year-old colt won the Preakness Stakes, moving a step closer to becoming the first horse since Affirmed in 1978 to win the Triple Crown.

"He comes into the Belmont as the horse with the best chance to do it of the ones I've seen," said trainer Todd Pletcher, who won last year's Belmont with filly Rags to Riches. "He's destroyed everybody he's run against."

Shortly after 6 this evening, Big Brown will finally have the opportunity to prove to everyone what Dutrow has told anyone who will listen: that the Kentucky-bred colt is a one-of-a-kind racehorse destined for greatness.

"These horses just cannot run with Big Brown," Dutrow said. "Every time I see this horse do something, he absolutely amazes me."

Other than a quarter-crack injury to his left front foot that Dutrow and hoof specialist Ian McKinlay declared a non-factor Friday, Big Brown's path toward becoming the 12th Triple Crown winner has been remarkably easy.

He won the Kentucky Derby by 43/4 lengths five weeks ago, and two weeks later, blasted off the final turn under jockey Kent Desormeaux for an easy 51/4-length victory in the Preakness Stakes.

"I've been around horses for all my life," said Eddie Woods, the Ocala horseman who once owned and taught Big Brown to take riders. "You just don't see that."

Big Brown has won his five races by a combined 39 lengths, providing a sport still reeling from the death of Kentucky Derby runner-up Eight Belles a much-needed boost of excitement. He can become only the second undefeated Triple Crown winner by winning today, joining 1977 Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew.

Big Brown's Triple Crown bid has made Dutrow a media darling and a target, and it has prompted his business-savvy owners to consider still racing him if he can pull off the sport's rarest feat today in a 10-horse field. After signed a reported $50 million stud deal with Three Chimneys Farm, IEAH Stable representatives said they didn't plan to race Big Brown after the Belmont for fear of injury.

Casino Drive, who has won both his races and was bred for the 11/2-mile distance of the Belmont, is considered Big Brown's biggest threat. Casino Drive remains questionable because of a hoof bruise.

Still, whether he is challenged or not, Big Brown is clearly the star of the show, which is why Suffolk Downs in Boston made an offer earlier this week to boost the purse of the Massachusetts Handicap to $5 million for a Big Brown and Curlin showdown. Curlin was the 2007 Horse of the Year.

First, there is that Triple Crown business to take care of, a piece of history that has teased the sport numerous times in recent years. Since Sir Barton became the first horse to win the Triple Crown in 1919, there hasn't been a longer stretch without a horse sweeping the three Classics.

"This is a very prestigious race, and the whole racing world, and a great part of the overall sports world, will be focused on the outcome of this race," said Terry Finlay, owner of Florida-bred Macho Again, who finished second to Big Brown in the Preakness.

Big Brown will break from the No. 1 post today, which has been the starting position of 23 Belmont winners, the most of any post. Listed as the overwhelming 2-5 favorite, someone pointed out to Dutrow that 60 percent of odds-on favorites have lost over the years.

"Well, it ain't going to happen this year," he said. "If we were to lose this race, we all would be very, very disappointed."

Reporter Scott Carter can be reached at (850) 294-3088 or scarter@tampatrib.com.

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