Go, Baby, Go! II

[Arra]

I hope you kept those hats dusted ladies and gents because we're back again after that stunning and heartshattering running of the 134th Kentucky Derby. This time we're meeting in beautiful Baltimore Maryland at none other than Pimlico race track where legends are born. So grab the Bourbon and the Vodka citrus and meet me at the paddock for a grand ol' time.

Big Brown is back again as the heavy favourite going for 1:5 by post time and can he do it again? Why plenty of us hope so. His powerhouse performance in the Derby hasn't been seen since Spectacular Bid ran the track folks back in '79. So it's been said and so I believe. That includes and discounts a lot of nice runners who have come up short in the Belmont which is three weeks from today. Runners such as Barbaro, Point Given, Fusaichi Pegasus, Thunder Gulch and the rest. If this big colt runs like he ran at the Derby well he might as well be running against himself because not a horse on that track will be able to catch him down the stretch.

Gayego the only other returning horse from the Run for the Roses has a lot of folks thinking he might make a run for the lead over Big Brown. He had a rough start in the gate and a rough ride throughout the Derby so only time will tell if he'll be there in the end.

For the past 10 years we've seen horse after horse win the first two jewels of the crown only to have the third snatched away over the grueling distance of the Belmont, however there have been a few times where the odds on favourite was beaten back at the last moment here at the Preakness. Times that included some such as Curlin in 07, Hansel in 91 and Bee Bee Bee in 72 who took it from Riva Ridge. Though the owners of Riva Ridge made it fine the next year when their horse Secretariat swept the Triple Crown and the hearts of the nation.

Kentucky Bear is another closer to watch and as we've seen in the under card races today the track is favouring the stalkers and the off-pace runners. Head-to-head dueling and nearly mini-match races have been playing out in the turf sprints and impressive from behind victories have ruled the course today. We can only wait, folks, with anticipation to see if Big Brown can fend them all off with that power button.

So here we are. Two weeks after the Kentucky Derby, three weeks before the Belmont Stakes, waiting to see if this will be a year where a horse takes the Triple Crown for the first time in 30 years or if, yet again, those hopes are dashed.

And may we all share a moment of silence for the late Eight Belles, whose passing after the running of the Kentucky Derby has spawned what some hope to be a revitalization of Horse Racing as we know it. Will we, in the future years, see the horses of past days again? Will we see such durable strong runners like Buckpasser, Dr. Fager, Secretariat, Bold Ruler, and Man O'War?

Much to see and much to hope for with this race ladies and gents. We are 1hr to post time. Go, baby, GO!

[Arra]

I have finally seen a real horse run. I never thought I'd witness another champion like the great horses of the 70s and earlier but Big Brown takes my breath away.

1/4 mile in I was worried, he was in against the rail and boxed. When they hit the backstretch and Desormeaux moved him out three wide I had a smile on my face. Big Brown was relaxed, he was practically loping, and Kent sat him motionless. I knew it was all over right then.

When they turned for home Desormeaux asked him to open up and Big Brown responded, he wasn't even rolling yet he moved away from the pack with every stride. I literally started crying. Kent stopped riding him halfway home and Big Brown just galloped across the wire.

Effortless victory. No whip, no urging, and Big Brown had to be reeled back in. He never even opened up to his full potential. What an amazing animal and what an amazing run. Three weeks from now, everything willing, I'll see my first Triple Crown winner.

[morti]

Is he the reincarnation of Secretariat? Or perhaps Citation?

This really is the best horse if my lifetime. At this point odds are going to be longer that he DOESN'T win the triple crown than odds on that he does.

[spix14]

I'm all excited about it, and I'm not even a horse racing fan. There just seems to be something special about Big Brown. Gives me butterflies watching him run.

[Arra]

Originally Posted by morti

Is he the reincarnation of Secretariat? Or perhaps Citation?

This really is the best horse if my lifetime. At this point odds are going to be longer that he DOESN'T win the triple crown than odds on that he does.

Most definitely the best horse in my lifetime as well. And he has an amazing pedigree. It'll break my heart if the boy doesn't take the Belmont but it's sure looking like there won't be anyone to run against him.

Casino Drive is coming in. The Japanese horse. Being hailed as Godzilla. And Desormeaux has been up on Casino Drive and refused to comment on which would take the Belmont. Desormeaux ran Casino in the Peter Pan the same way he ran Brown in the Preakness so they might be side by side through the backstretch post position willing. Although Brown went wire to wire in his first three starts on lead, I doubt they'd take the chance of a speed duel in the Belmont.

Big Brown definitely starts rolling with more power than Casino Drive and I expect even if they have a duel in the turn he'll pull away in the stretch drive effortlessly.

Originally Posted by spix14

I'm all excited about it, and I'm not even a horse racing fan. There just seems to be something special about Big Brown. Gives me butterflies watching him run.

You better soak it all up, woman. He takes the crown and this'll be the last year he runs. I'm not sure if they'll have him slated for the Breeders Cup and Horse of the Year title, but I know after his 3yo season they intend to retire him. Amazing horse.

[morti]

Can you fathom the stud fees that will get paid for him? Seattle Slew's shockingly good stud career records might be in jeopardy if Just One of Big Browns offspring does any good whatsoever.