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Monday, May 5, 2008
Big Brown looks golden
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
When trainer Richard Dutrow strode briskly to the big board at the post position draw and dropped the name of Big Brown on No. 20, the outside gate, you had a premonition. There were other inside posts open, but here was a trainer so confident that his three-year-old would win the 134th Kentucky Derby that he wanted Big Brown, who is big and who is brown, out of traffic and unimpeded.
Dutrow had spent the week around the barn area at Churchill Downs bragging about his colt. “Best horse in the field,” he’d said, and he’d said it over and over again. Some blamed on his natural New Yorker swagger, and others simply branded it “shooting off his mouth.” If, as they say, you can get it done, it ain’t bragging.
Now is the time to take it a step further, and you ask: Is Big Brown the next Secretariat? And in the reply of Cot Campbell, who knows something about race horses, “I’d say the chances are good.” So says the master of Dogwood Stable, whose Summer Squall finished second in the Derby, then won the Preakness a few years back.
Based on what we’ve seen up to now, there is no threat to push Big Brown as Alydar was to Affirmed, last to win the Triple Crown in a pursuit that turned into a heart-stopping series. In fact, the Preakness may be run with less than a full gate, and the Belmont with even fewer challengers.
From the time Big Brown stepped on the track he has been dominant. When he won the Florida Derby, he started from the outside 12th gate, and one report read that “he horrified eleven other three-year-olds.” He won by five lengths. His speed ratings, a bunch of numbers with which I’m not familiar, are startling, nevertheless. He has won on grass, on artificial surface and on dirt. The surface? Bah, humbug. Means nothing to Big Brown.
Dutrow knew Big Brown’s speed. So did jockey Kent Desormeaux, who had no fear of the outside gate. It was written often that the only other time a horse won the Derby from the outside post was the race in 1929, won by Clyde Van Dusen, a gelding. It was different then. No starting gate. The starter lined up the horses as best he good and sent them off.
“What you like about him [Big Brown], as inexperienced as he is, is that he’s so impressive in the paddock, like a veteran,” Cot Campbell said.
Desormeaux, no rookie, he. He had won Derbies aboard Real Quiet and Fusachi Pegasus, and had made his home on Big Brown’s back. They got away evenly, and Desormeaux gradually edged his mount nearer the rail, but made no obvious effort to gain ground, held his position on the outside into the far turn, when he began his move. He picked up horses one my one and into the stretch had the lead and the race was over. You rarely ever see the stretch that vacant on the first Saturday in May. Big Brown, then several lengths back to Eight Belles, then another gap back to Denis of Cork. Big Brown led them home on cruise control.
Tragically, the filly broke down breezing out on the turn, and attention turned to her and away from the spectacular quality of what we had just witnessed. I’d say Eight Belles justified the decision to pass up the Oaks for the Derby, especially since her trainer, Larry Jones, won the Oaks with Proud Spell.
Big Brown — the name — refers to just what you’re thinking, UPS. A trucking magnet, Paul Pompa Jr., bought him at Keeneland sales for $190,000, a two-year-old in training. UPS is one of his major clients, and thus the name, matching color and size. The next Secretariat? Maybe a little strong and a little early, but Big Brown is worth investing a dream on.
