Is 2008 the Special Year for Big Brown?

Question

Will Big Brown become the first horse to win the Triple Crown, after Affirmed, in 1978?

I really thought Smarty Jones would do the trick, 2 years back, but it's high time this 'albatross' in horse racing ends. And Big Brown is as fine as any horse that has come close to winning the Triple Crown.

Incidentally, The Epsom Derby in England is on today. Luca Cumani trained the winners in 1988 and 1998. I am picking his horse, Curtain Call, to triumph this year.

Call me superstitious, but after 1978,1988,1998, it sure that 2008, is gonna be a special year for Big Brown and Cumani.

Answer 1

I too believe like you!

And I know people don't much believe in "fate" or those little things like numbers and symmetry, BUT I DO!!

I had not seen this "8" tie in...I LOVE IT!  Thanks!

I think it's fate.  We have had two really tragic incidents where some HUGE names have died and brought a lot of emotion and undue commentary to the sport.  Big Brown needs to prove to those naysayers that it isn't too much, that it's still possible, and that horses haven't been "ruined" by those who have carried on this sport through so many generations!

This is the 3rd "Big Thing" to happen in racing in the past 3 years.

There have been 3 others who have tried but failed this century.  

It's the longest stretch between races - the other was 25 years with Secretariat.  So that was 25, 30 years just makes sense!  There's that "3" again!

There is so much to tell me THIS IS IT!!!

Regarding the Winstrol thing.  Nobody freaked out at the Preakness...or that I heard.  He should have had his monthly shot right before the race, but he didn't.

He hasn't had a shot since April 14th.  

Yet earlier this week he was working at times that no one else was, and was very impressive.  

The quarter crack problems have plagued him his entire life.  He has had the best person available tending to it, and he is very optimistic and I think if he thought there was a problem, you would be able to know it in his words - if he didn't come right out and say so!!!  He said that just being near him is a remarkable feeling - he is just that special!  That quarter crack has been there since the Preakness I believe, and his workouts this week wouldn't have been so impressive if it was bothering him.

Plus, I think Big Brown KNOWS this race is big.  His life has never been like it is right now, and there is so much excitement surrounding him right now.  They feed off that...if none of you have ever been around an animal when something is going on, even if you are inwardly calm, they can feel "it".  If there is actual activity - whether you know that activity exists or not - they "know" it.  Animals, and I am sure horses are the same, are creatures of habit.  The past 5 weeks have been like no other to him - yes, he has raced but the training and all of that is routine to him.  And he seems to in all of the pictures and video I have seen to be alert, interested and thriving!

From all I have read, they say Big Brown is a very intelligent horse.  I have not been around horses for decades, but spent the first 10 years of my life with my parent's best friends daughter - therefore she was my best friend - and she was a show rider.  I spent lots and lots of time with them, and I have been in awe of them since the day I knew that was possible.

And one last thing...I think God, the "Universe" or whatever you want to call it is BIG on giving Second Chances.  

Add to that, here's one more "number" - it's been 10 years (there's that 8 again) since Kent Desormeaux's loss on Real Quiet by a nose, a whisker, a bad camera angle - LOL!!  (ok, that last one I have never heard, but I have thought it before).  He deserves this, to get the monkey off his back.  He blames himself to this day for that.  He has riden both Casino Drive and Big Brown - there is no other person in this world that knows both horses so "intimately" (I hate I have to clarify this, but I don't mean anything untoward here!) or even knows anything much at all about both horses!  Of course many people know one or the other, but not both!  I think this will play into things.  How often has the Odds-on-favorite jockey ridden the Odds-on-spoiler??  Maybe it's not that uncommon, but it seems pretty crazy to me!

And Rick Dutrow I believe is getting his Second Chance, too!  I truly do think that he has cleaned up his act, is showing a new face and he won't have that monkey off his back until something BIG happens - and he is in that spot today.  

I absolutely think this is Big Brown's Year to make it really special!

There are too many things that say so!

Answer 2

Big Brown has had a special year and has proven to be a special horse but I just can't shake an ominous feeling of less fortune for him at Belmont. This will be his third grueling race in five weeks, he has hoof issues, and he will not run this one on steroids. I think maybe he is weakened some and I'm sure this one will not be a walk in the park for him like the Preakness was. That is, I think, unless Casino Drive is scratched tomorrow morning. I think Casino Drive is the only horse who can stride with Big Brown but then he has issues too, and not just the sore foot but also that he has not been raced enough to develop the distance stamina which is in his breeding.

I expect an exciting race tomorrow but a race with surprises. Denis of Cork has the pedigree to get this distance and pick it up strong in the final furlongs if he settles early and if Borel doesn't let him fall too far behind the pace. He certainly proved to be a strong closer when he came from the 20 spot just before the final turn at the Kentucky Derby and finished 3rd. Big Brown is by far the best horse but Casino Drive is fast and almost sure to force Big Brown into an early race. But I'm expecting Big Brown to be off his lengthy stride in the final stretch and I'm expecting Casino Drive to tire in the final furlong and begin to fade before the final strides, leaving Denis of Cork to close the gap to the finish and maybe nose out Big Brown.

But if Casino Drive is scratched tomorrow morning then the race is Big Brown's to run the same as the Preakness, just and easy stride stalking the pace near the top while the other horses tire and then sprint to the wire unchallenged, Denis of Cork then 2nd and then the rest of the field dragging in with their tongues hanging out just before dusk.

Answer 3

I was one of the lucky people who picked Big Brown to win the Derby, but his recent injury accompanied by his trainer's refusal to inject him with Winstrol makes me believe he may not win the final leg of the Triple Crown. I won't lie, I'm not a horse expert, but I do know how detrimental injuries can be, as well as the overwhelming performance benefits of steroids. It would be like a clean Barry Bonds trying to hit a home run with a broken wrist. If Big Brown does win, I highly doubt it will be by as many lengths as the other two legs of the Crown.

Answer 4

He's undefeated and only has one more race to win, so I think he's got a good chance.

Answer 5

I am really rooting for Big Brown...the way he just takes off towards the end of the race, wow, just phenomenal. Can't wait to watch this one!! His jockey is first class, too, just from what I have read. High hopes here!!!!

Answer 6

Big Brown is the only Grade 1 winner in the field, so he's got a good shot. But nineteen others have failed at the triple crown

after winning the other two; this 12 furlong race is like no other

they have encountered.