Big Brown's Foot Heals, Two Competitors Step Up

Big Brown underwent a simple, 10-minute procedure earlier today to repair the quarter crack to his front left hoof and is expected to return to the track at Belmont Park to complete his prep work prior to the June 7th Belmont Stakes.

But fast on his heels is Casino Drive, who won a stakes race earlier this month at Belmont, and Denis of Cork, who earlier today turned in an impressive breeze during his pre-race workout. Is Big Brown's trainer or the specialist who worked on his injured hoof concerned about the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes' chances of winning? Not really.

"I've done this procedure on horses that have won on the same day," hoof specialist Ian McKinlay said.




Photos of the quarter crack once it has been repaired, then cleaned and sealed with adhesive.

Trainer Rick Dutrow echoes McKinlay's optimism for Big Brown's injury and recovery time. "Just a little hiccup on the way over there that's all it is," Dutrow said. "The time that he has missed means nothing to me or him."

Big Brown is still the big favorite to win the Belmont Stakes and is on track to becoming the first Triple Crown winner in 30 years.

Big Brown vs. Casino Drive: A Match Race?

After a convincing win at the 2008 Kentucky Derby and an even greater victory at the 2008 Preakness Stakes, Big Brown is a clear favorite to win the 2008 Belmont Stakes and the Triple Crown. Or is he?

A new horse has entered into the mix and it's got a lot of people talking...and for good reason. Japanese-owned Casino Drive has the same bloodlines (out of the same mare) as the last two Belmont Stakes winners -- Jazil and Rags to Riches. Add to that an impressive win at the Peter Pan Stakes on May 10th at Belmont Park and you've got the makings of a serious competitor.

But is Big Brown's trainer, Rick Dutrow Jr., worried? If he is he's not letting on that he's the slightest big concerned.

"He has no chance of beating our horse. None," Dutrow told reporters on Wednesday. "I'll be running to the winner's circle when Big Brown hits the quarter pole."

So what does Casino Drive's racing manager, Nobutaka Tada, have to say about Dutrow's confidence in Big Brown?

"It sounds like he likes talk, so let him talk. It's OK. We will see the result."

Unlike Dutrow, Tada says he prefers to keep his feelings to himself and would rather stay quiet on the issue. "It's not the Japanese way," he explains.

The added international competition for the upcoming Belmont Stakes can only mean good things for horse racing fans on a global level. Although much of the attention will continue to focus on Big Brown's quest for the elusive Triple Crown, Casino Drive will surely cause more than a few bettors to wager accordingly.

June 7th is the day, folks. It's looking like Big Brown vs. Casino Drive for the win at Belmont. And if Big Brown wins? Well then that means we get our first Triple Crown winner in 30 years.

Preakness Stakes Results: Resounding Win for Big Brown

Big Brown keeps Triple Crown hopes alive!

“He just set sail,” winning jockey Kent Desmoreaux said, “He just kept kicking his legs up and went riding for the wire. There was not a grain of sand in face.”

And just like that, the 1-5 favorite Big Brown wins the 2008 Preakness Stakes. Taking second was Macho Again and the third place finish went to Icabad Crane.

When asked if he was nervous before today's race, Desmoreaux admitted that he was. "I was nervous as nuts," he said.

The Belmont Stakes is in three weeks and Big Brown will be fresh and ready to run as he aims to make history in becoming the first Triple Crown winner in 30 years.

At Pimlico track on Friday, 6-year-old Student Council ($16.40 to win) took the Grade I Pimlico Special and Sweet Vendetta ($17.40) captured the Grade II Black-Eyed Susan for 3-year-old fillies.

Preakness Stakes: Countdown to Post Time

We're only a few hours away from post time and with Big Brown settling in nicely in his corner barn suite occupied each year by the winner of the Kentucky Derby, Pimlico Race Course is finally ready for the 133rd running of the Preakness Stakes.

The favorite to win the Preakness, Big Brown arrived in Baltimore three hours late on Wednesday night and was accompanied by police escort to Pimlico. Clearly the only celebrity in attendance at this race (the Kentucky Derby attracts Hollywood celebrities), Big Brown has everyone hoping and believing in a big win. A Preakness victory, after all, would open the door to a Triple Crown win at the Belmont Stakes three weeks later. And that, according to his trainer Rick Dutrow Jr., would be "awesome". (Read more on Big Brown's big arrival at Pimlico here.)

Once again, here are the race details on today's Preakness Stakes classic:

TV: NBC
POST: 6:09 p.m. EST WEIGHTS: 126 pounds. DISTANCE: 1 3/16 miles.
PURSE: $1 million (First place: $650,000).

PP Horse, Jockey, Trainers, Odds
1 Macho Again, Julien R. Leparoux, Dallas Stewart, 20-1
2 Tres Borrachos, Tyler Baze, Beau Greely, 30-1
3 Icabad Crane, Jeremy Rose, H. Graham Motion, 30-1
4 Yankee Bravo, Alex O. Solis, Patrick Gallagher, 15-1
5 Behindatthebar, David Romero Flores, Todd Pletcher, 10-1
6 Racecar Rhapsody, Robby Albarado, Kenneth McPeek, 30-1
7 Big Brown, Kent J. Desormeaux, Richard Dutrow Jr., 1-2
8 Kentucky Bear, Jamie Theriot, Reade Baker, 15-1
9 Stevil, John R. Velazquez, Nick Zito, 30-1
10 Riley Tucker, Edgar S. Prado, William Mott, 30-1
11 Giant Moon, Ramon A. Dominguez, Richard Schosberg, 30-1
12 Gayego, Mike E. Smith, Paulo Lobo, 8-1
13 Hey Byrn, Charles C. Lopez, Eddie Plesa Jr., 20-1

Stay tuned to my blog for Preakness Stakes race results following this afternoon's nail biter at Pimlico.

Derby Contender Gayego to Run in Preakness

The lone Kentucky Derby contender to give Derby winner Big Brown a run for his money, Gayego, will be racing in this weekend's 2008 Preakness Stakes.

Although he placed a disappointing 17th, Gayego's trainer Paulo Lobo says his dark bay colt really didn't overexert himself at the Derby and came back from the race with a healthy appetite and disposition.

"He came back very well," Lobo said. "He's been eating everything. He's feeling happy."

Gayego is expected to arrive at the Pimlico Race Course stables on Wednesday afternoon. If both horses get the green light for Saturday, it will be only the sixth time that two Kentucky Derby horses have moved onto the Preakness to compete in the classic. The last time was back in 1980 (and bettors may be interested to note that the challenger, Codex, defeated the Derby-winning filly Genuine Risk).

It's a great time to get in your Preakness Stakes betting!

Kentucky Derby Winning Jockey to Ride Big Brown at Preakness

Jockey Kent Desmoreaux, who rode Big Brown to an impressive victory at the 134th Kentucky Derby, will once again hop on top of the 3-year-old colt at the upcoming Preakness Stakes on May 17th at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland.

The American thoroughbred horse racing Hall of Fame jockey has won more races in a single year than any other jockey. But more importantly, Desmoreaux's masterful ride atop Big Brown at the 2008 Kentucky Derby was more than enough to convince Big Brown's trainer and owner that he is the man to take Big Brown to victory at the 2008 Preakness. After all, he did take Real Quiet to victory in the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes back in 1998 so he knows a thing or two about riding a potential Triple Crown winner.

Although none of Big Brown's Derby contenders are listed to saddle up at the upcoming Preakness, the field of horses is expected to be stronger, which should make for an interesting race.

You can get all your Preakness Stakes betting here. Big Brown is favored to win again, so it's going to be a great race!!

Kentucky Derby Results: Big Brown Wins, Eight Belles Euthanized

In what would be a day filled with both great joy and great sadness, Big Brown proved to be every bit the victor in winning the 134th Kentucky Derby in front of 157,770 fans at Churchill Downs yesterday. Big Brown's first-place finish was 4 3/4 lengths ahead of the only filly in the race, Eight Belles, who took second place.

But then the unthinkable happened.

Just as the horses were making their victory walk around the track, Eight Belles collapsed on the track, the ankles on her front hind legs clearly broken.

The loud cheers immediately stopped and gasps of shock filled the air.

"The injuries were catasrophic," said Dr Larry Bramlage, the track's "on call" veterinarian. "She didn't have a front foot to stand on. She was immediately euthanized. I have never seen anything like this before at the end of a race."

The tragedy brought back memories of Barbaro's fall at the 2006 Preakness. Barbaro, the 2006 Kentucky Derby winner, shattered his right leg at the start of the race and was euthanized several months later (despite several surgeries to save the colt's life). And just like Barbaro, Eight Belles had won the hearts of many horse racing fans because she was the sole filly among a field of colts.

"This horse showed you his heart," winning jockey Kent Desormeaux said, "and Eight Belles showed you her life for our enjoyment today. I'm deeply sympathetic to that team for their loss."

Here is the finishing order:

Big Brown
Eight Belles
Denis of Cork
Tale of Ekati
Recapturetheglory
Colonel John
Anak Nakal
Pyro
Cowboy Cal
Z Fortune
Smooth Air
Visionaire
Court Vision
Z Humor
Cool coal Man
Bob Black Jack
Gayego
Big Truck
Adriano
Monba

Rest in peace, Eight Belles.

Betting on the 2008 Kentucky Derby: Horsing Around

Horseplay is always a good thing. When you’re looking for a championship thoroughbred, you’re looking for a winning attitude as well as superior genetics – same as any human athlete, for that matter.

Big Brown’s cult of personality was in evidence Thursday at Churchill Downs, as crowds gathered to watch the 3-1 Derby favorite tear off three furlongs in 35.4 seconds, the fastest of 19 horses to do so. His demeanor was cool and confident, every bit the king in this Sport of Kings. Big Brown could run for President of the United States – although they’d have to lower the minimum age from 35 to three.

Second favorite Colonel John (5-1) isn’t being talked about in the same poetic terms as Big Brown, but trainer Eoin Harty also noted how relaxed and confident his horse was after Thursday morning’s work. There may be value in Colonel John simply because the public hasn’t fallen in love with him – yet.

Get all your Kentucky Derby betting done here.