Belmont Stakes Contenders Seek To Stop Big Brown’s Triple Crown Bid

June 5, 2008

I know I’ll be holding my breath come 6:25 pm this Saturday, as will millions of people across the country, and probably the world. In just three days, will I see Big Brown race to the finish to become the first Triple Crown winner in my lifetime, more specifically in the last 30 years?

His chances look pretty good, and bettors are making him the early favorite.

But there are nine other horses who say no, not if they have anything to do with it. About half of those lost to Big Brown in the Kentucky Derby and are hoping to steal the $1 million purse out from under the bay colt.

The Belmont Stakes, at a lengthy mile and a half, is a true test of a thoroughbred racehorse’s mettle. And not all can go the distance.

Big Brown

The big bay colt is the easy favorite going into the Belmont Stakes. The final race of his Triple Crown bid, Big Brown has a lot more riding on this race than his contenders. I’m convinced he has a really good chance at making history Saturday, though, judging by how easily he won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness. He won both going away and with plenty of run left in him. He never dug in and ran hard until the homestretch and barely broke a sweat.

Big Brown has been plagued with hoof problems. But they’ve been managed, patched up and wired together, keeping the horse sound. It’s not a great long term solution; but whether he wins or not on Saturday he’s headed to an early retirement on a stud farm where his hooves will have all the time in the world to heal.

Trainer Rick Dutrow has been talking trash all week, full of confidence that he’s about to have the next Triple Crown winner on his hands. He’s even stopped treating the horse with once a month steroid injections (they are legal) to cut down on critics claiming they he only won because his performance was enhanced. The steroids are typically administered to aid horses who aren’t eating well and to help them recover quickly from hard workouts. It will likely still be a controversial discussion, though, as many vets claim it’s been long enough that former steroid shots are no longer effecting Big Brown, while others say that recency doesn’t matter as he’s already been physically affected.

But Big Brown is currently strong, sound, running well, and has plenty of stamina left to tackle this lengthy race that could make him go down in history.

Casino Drive

Kentucky-bred and Japanese-trained Casino Drive comes all the way to New York from Japan to make his bid in the Belmont and make his mother proud. He is the half brother of last year’s Belmont Stakes winner Rags to Riches, the first filly to win the race in 102 years, and the 2006 winner Jazil. That mare’s got some good genes.

Casino Drive has won both of his first two starts, a race in Japan in February and the Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont in May. He is currently the second favorite, and many think he’ll give Big Brown the best run for his money. He will be piloted by Edgar Prado who is best known for riding the famed Barbaro to victory in the 2006 Kentucky Derby. Casino Drive drew the number 5 post position; the desired spot in the middle of the pack.

Guadalcanal

By far the long shot in this year’s race, Guadalcanal is trying for his first win ever in the Belmont. Owner and trainer Fred Seitz bought the colt last year after an ultrasound revealed that Guadalcanal had the cardiac profile of a horse built for long distances. Seitz claims that he’s got a horse with a lot of heart. And some supernatural ability, if he manages to win his first race in six starts.

Macho Again

The Preakness Stakes runner up is back for another shot at defeating Big Brown. The gray colt has placed in the top two in six of his nine starts. He bided his time in the Preakness and took over the tiring front runners alongside Big Brown, but just didn’t have what it took to keep up even at the shorter distance. He will be ridden by Garret Gomez, America’s top jockey in 2007.

Denis of Cork

Named for a Irish priest and friend of his owners’, Denis of Cork is back for more after running third in the Kentucky Derby. Trainer David Carroll claims that he’s been training well and is bred for the long distance, also saying he might just be the sleeper in the Belmont. Denis of Cork has won three of his five starts.

Da’ Tara

This colt is coming off a second place finish in the Barbaro Stakes that was held at Pimlico on Preakness day. His only win was his maiden at Gulfstream in January. Trainer Nick Zito is convinced he can handle the distance. Zito knows Da’ Tara is a long shot, but he’s running well and that’s the time to test him.

Tale of Ekati

The Wood Memorial winner ran fourth in the Kentucky Derby on the first Saturday in May and has won three of seven starts. Trainer Barclay Tagg says his horse is running well and can go the distance.

Anak Natal

He is the son of Victory Gallop, who won the 1998 Belmont Stakes and ended Real Quiet’s Triple Crown hopes. Anak Natal is hoping to follow in his father’s hoofprints and do the same to Big Brown. He ran seventh in the Kentucky Derby. And like many other trainers, Zito is banking on the fact that Anak Natal is bred for the longer distance.

Ready’s Echo

Trainer Todd Pletcher won the Belmont last year with filly Rags to Riches (sister of second favorite Casino Drive), and is hoping for another exciting win with Ready’s Echo. He won a maiden race at Gulfstream in March. The colt doesn’t have much winning experience under his girth, but Pletcher was pleased with his third place run in the Peter Pan Stakes and has been aiming for the Belmont ever since. His break-slowly and finish big style suits the longer Belmont distance well.

Ichabad Crane

Icabad Crane finished third in the Preakness Stakes, and has never come in below third in any of his five starts. He ran further back in the pack than usual in the Preakness, and the added distance of the Belmont should be a benefit to him.

Tune In This Saturday For the Big Race

The 140th running of the Belmont Stakes is this Saturday, June 7 at 6:25 pm airing on ABC. Be sure to tune in … you might just see history in the making if Big Brown wins the third leg of the Triple Crown and becomes the first horse to do so in 30 years.

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