Congress to Investigate Horse Racing Industry

After witnessing one of the most disappointing and puzzling losses in the history of American thoroughbred horse racing, the United States Congress will begin hearings on the ethics of this $40 billion US industry. It seems the tragic death of Eight Belles at the Kentucky Derby, followed by the poor running of Big Brown at the Belmont Stakes, was enough to raise more than a few eyebrows.

Every year some 5,000 horses die or are put down at the racetracks. It's gotten to the point where horse racing fans cringe at the start of each race, hoping that each horse makes it to the finish line without injury. The use of steroids also has many people questioning the need for horses to take performance enhancing drugs.

"When you talk about the Kentucky Derby, Belmont, Preakness, the whole country focuses on those, they attract stars from Hollywood, and it's all pretty romantic and wonderful," says US Rep. Ed Whitfield (R) of Kentucky, who holds hearings Thursday. "But in everyday racing, there are horses going down, and then the horses unable to fulfill their promise going to slaughter. The greed has trumped the concern for the horse, it's trumped the safety of the jockeys, and it's trumped the integrity of the sport."

Read more on what Congress intends to do about these and other issues facing the horse racing industry today. And drop me a line -- what do you make of the whole thing? Should we do away with horse racing entirely? Is it really that dangerous a sport?

Trainer Blames Jockey for Belmont Bust

It's been three days since Big Brown's shocking last-place finish at the 2008 Belmont Stakes and trainer Rick Dutrow is still blaming jockey Kent Desormeaux for the loss.

"I don't want to hurt anyone, especially Kent," Dutrow told The Associated Press on Tuesday morning in his barn at Aqueduct. "But I still don't understand what happened. I don't see the horse with a problem, so I have to direct my attention toward the ride. That's all I can come up with."

Big Brown was the big favorite going into last Saturday's race and by all accounts the horse was healthy and raring to go. With the Triple Crown on the line Dutrow had all the confidence in the world and even went so far as to guarantee a win. But after a good start coming out of the gates, Big Brown started to lose ground at around the 3/4 mark and with "no horse" to speak of, jockey Desormeaux felt he had no choice but to pull back on Big Brown. And the rest, as they say, is history.

The plan right now is to run Big Brown in the Travers Stakes on Aug. 23 at Saratoga and then the Breeders' Cup later in the fall.

Ah well. There's still plenty of great horse racing to bet on!

Big Brown Finishes Last at Belmont Stakes

On national television trainer Rick Dutrow guaranteed a win by Big Brown today at Belmont Park but that didn't happen. Not only did the favorite not win, but he finished the race in dead last. And when asked what happened out there today, jockey Kent Desmoreaux had "no idea".

"He was keen to go on early," Desmoreaux said. "He stumbled a bit but I have no idea what happened...I had no horse."

The 38/1 longshot, Da' Tara, took the lead early and held on to win the 2008 Belmont Stakes. Nick Zito is one happy trainer.

In what will likely go down as one of the hugest upsets in the history of horse racing, the 2008 Belmont Stakes was denied a Triple Crown.

For more information on the Belmont Stakes, the Triple Crown and all upcoming races...check the Bodog Racebook.

Belmont Stakes Update: Casino Drive Scratched

For Big Brown, the news is good; for Casino Drive the news couldn't be worse. Earlier this morning manager Nobutaka Tada made a last-minute decision to take (second favorite to win) Casino Drive out of the Belmont Stakes because of a bruised hoof. The hoof injury occured yesterday during a walk around the Belmont Park track.

“It’s not serious, it’s just a matter of timing,” Tada said. “The horse is OK.”

A crack in Big Brown's front left hoof threatened to take the Triple Crown hopeful out of today's race, but the injury has since been repaired and by all accounts the hoof is as good as new.

Casino Drive's injury, however, will not be repaired in time for today's race. It's crushing news for horse racing fans hoping to see a head-to-head race between the two horses.

“It’s very sad,” Tada said. “Many people support us. It’s sad that we couldn’t meet the expectations.”

Bet on Big Brown to win the Belmont Stakes and the Triple Crown!

Hooters To Sponsor Triple Crown Contender Big Brown

Hooters has signed on as the exclusive sponsor of Big Brown. UPS, the brown-themed shipping company that was was originally the sole sponsor of the horse, inexplicably allowed Hooters to slide in just before Big Brown is set to achieve the pinnacle of its publicity.

Sponsorship deals involving racehorses and jockeys are rare. At the Derby, NetJets, a private aviation company, sponsored the jockeys in the race.

Kelly Wietsma, the president of Equisponse, which represents IEAH Stables, said, "Big Brown has been on the national news, the morning shows and all over the media. There will be 40 million people watching to see of this horse can win the Triple Crown and if he does he's going to be one of the most celebrated athletes in 30 years. And UPS and Hooters will ride the publicity wave with him."

Belmont Stakes, the last leg of the Triple Crown, is tomorrow. Big Brown can make history, don't miss it out! The Belmont post time is 6:25 PM Eastern and it will be broadcast on ABC from 5.

Big Brown to Race from No. 1 Post Position

The post positions for the Saturday, June 7th Belmont Stakes have been drawn and the favorite at 2/5 odds to win, Big Brown, will be breaking from the No. 1 post position. Nine other horses will be competing for the victory at Belmont Park, but with the Triple Crown on the line all eyes will be on Big Brown.

There was some concern last week as to whether or not Big Brown's cracked hoof would be healed in time for the weekend's big race, but trainer Rick Dutrow has reassured doubters that his horse will be good and ready to race -- and to win.

"He's in better shape now than he has ever been," Dutrow said Tuesday.

Japanese-bred Casino Drive, will start from the No. 5 post. He is the 7-2 second choice to win the Belmont Stakes.

Here is the complete field for the 2008 Belmont Stakes, including post position, horse's name, and odds to win:

1. Big Brown 2/5 odds
2. Guadalcanal 50/1 odds
3. Macho Again 20/1 odds
4. Denis of Cork 12/1 odds
5. Casino Drive 7/2 odds
6. Da'Tara 30/1 odds
7. Tale of Ekati 20/1 odds
8. Anak Nakal 30/1 odds
9. Ready's Echo 30/1 odds
10. Icabad Crane 20/1 odds

It's been 30 years since we've seen a Triple Crown winner. Bet on Big Brown to win the Belmont Stakes and the Triple Crown!

Big Brown Jumps Big Hurdle

With only a few days to go until the Belmont Stakes, talk around the stables these days is heating up over whether or not Big Brown will be ready to win the Triple Crown.

Last week the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner had a crack in his front left hoof repaired by hoof specialist Ian McKinlay. After taking a few days off his training to allow the hoof to heal, Big Brown underwent his first pre-Belmont Stakes workout and passed with flying colors; he ran five furlongs in a minute. But trainer Rick Dutrow has been put under the microscope by critics for pushing his horse to the limits. McKinlay says the idea of Dutrow doing anything to jeopardize Big Brown's life is "absolute nonsense".

"I don't like people accusing Rick or accusing this industry of just taking horses and throwing them to the wolves for money. These guys love these horses," McKinlay said Monday. "Yes, there's a lot of money at stake, but they're not going to do it. They'd be an idiot to do it. He's certainly worth a lot more alive than he is dead."

By all accounts, Big Brown's hoof is healing up nicely and held up well in the workout. There's no cause for concern coming from trainer nor specialist.

"He jumped over a big hurdle today," Dutrow said.

Bet on Big Brown to win the Belmont Stakes and the Triple Crown!