Big Brown one step closer to Triple Crown glory
May 18, 2008 by Jarrod Horak
Filed under Horses, Stakes Races, Triple Crown
Big Brown ran his record to 5-5 with yet another powerful performance in the 133rd Preakness Stakes.
The son of Boundary stalked the pace in third behind Gayego and Riley Tucker, and he burst away from his rivals when asked by Kent Desormeaux en route to a geared down 5-1/4 length tally in the second jewel of the Triple Crown.
He ran the nine and one-half furlong Preakness in 1:54-4/5 and paid $2.40 to win. He finished with plenty left in the tank and will go for the Triple Crown sweep at Belmont Park in three weeks.
Macho Again rallied to finish 2nd, a half-length ahead of my live exotics longshot Icabad Crane. Racecar Rhapsody weakened to 4th, and was followed by Stevil, Kentucky Bear, Hey Byrn, Giant Moon, Tres Borrachos, and Yankee Bravo. Pace players Gayego and Riley Tucker rounded out the order of finish.
All attention now shifts to Big Sandy for the June 7th Belmont Stakes, and Big Brown has the best shot at finishing off the Triple Crown since I started following thoroughbred racing in 1980.
Big Brown figures to face his toughest challenge in the Test of Champions, and undefeated Peter Pan hero Casino Drive could give him a serious run for his money…It’s going to be an exciting three weeks!
Photo Credit: Newscom
