With the tragedy of Eight Belles stealing Big Brown's thunder at the Kentucky Derby, this special horse was not receiving nearly the amount of press and spectacle he deserves. He did, however, get plenty of respect in the odds. Going off at 2-1 in the Derby and 1-5 in the Preakness Stakes, Big Brown seemed poised for his second-consecutive victory. And the odds won't get any better.
Not only has he won the first two legs of the Crown, but he has done so in dominating fashion. Not a single horse in either pack has come close to catching Big Brown, who should end the longest-ever drought without a Triple Crown winner.
The three most recent threats to win the Crown were War Emblem in 2002, Funny Cide in 2003 and Smarty Jones in 2004--all of whom won both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. Only Smarty Jones came close to completing the Crown, losing by a length in the Belmont. More importantly, none of the three dominated their packs in the Derby or Preakness.
Big Brown is the most able-bodied and poised horse to contend for the Triple Crown in three decades. He looks prepared to be only the 12th ever to capture the attention of the country as a Triple Crown winner and may be the catapult to send thoroughbred racing back into prominence.
In a time when steroids, transvestite prostitutes, decade-long affairs and cheating are grabbing the sports headlines across the country, a remarkable athletic achievement is something we can all look forward to and, hopefully, celebrate.
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