Posted by Perry
It was exciting, thrilling, special, and heartbreaking all together. What should have been a celebration over a historical win in the Kentucky Derby turned into a nightmare – a horse was put down after the race.
Eight Belles ran the race of her life, coming in second in her first try against the boys. She showed she belonged in the race, much to her critics chagrin, and earned a special place in the hearts of racing fans. She just didn’t have enough for the winner, Big Brown.
Now for the record – I had picked Pyro. I thought, “He didn’t like the synthetic track”, and that was the reason for his ten lengths defeat in his prior race – I was so wrong. Big Brown made a move that was so spectacular for its finality. When he charged to the lead in the final turn you knew instantly that this race was over.
Big Brown became only the second horse to win the Derby having only three prior races (the first was Regret in 1915). He was the favorite and started from the far outside, again only the second horse to win from there since the gelding Clyde Van Dusen in 1929. He showed with no doubt that he is the best horse in the field. The other contenders had nothing for the big guy – and he knew it.
So its on to the Preakness in two weeks, a win there sets up Big Brown for a chance to be the first Triple Crown winner in thirty years, the last being the great Affirmed in 1978. We’ve had some close calls since then, but something tells me that this horse will get it done. He has it all – tactical speed, power, stamina, and a presence that nullifies his lack of experience. He’s just that much BETTER than the others. His win seemed almost effortless and when he decided to go – he was gone.
What can Brown do for me? Win it all.