BIG BROWN

I told my wife when I saw the colt in the paddock that he did not look the same as in the Derby and Preakness. He had a little belly and his ass end was peaked. He looked and ran like an unfit horse.

You cannot pussy foot and job a horse into the Belmont Stakes.

This colt missed too much training and did not do enough between races, because of rain and a bad foot that was completely minimized in terms of its impact on the well being of the horse.

Very few horsemen I have known would have trained, let alone run the horse in the Belmont.

The rider did nothing wrong.

Didn't see the race, but Barry highlights what should have been highlighted......but was downplayed as "not serious" quarter crack ! Nice to see some really objective comments.

here is a replay

Thanks so much for posting that. Not into US racing at all, but that really was enjoyable ---- and epitimizes the reason we love the sport so much.

The horse is coltish in my opinion if you saw the way he was behaving in his box - he may have looked relaxed in the canter past but he was misbehaving prior to the race which is something new according to the comments - he may never be the same and should be sent to stud or be cut -

A big disappointment way past my bedtime, but enjoyed the build up and hype, and managed to escape a punt at 1/4, but would have taken the 9/20, Wonder what is next? Race against Curlin or off to stud?

I cant argue with an expert. But just to clarify. I was just repeating what the ESPN commentary team were reporting at the time. (regarding stud Value etc.)

Just a bit of food for thought. Albarado rode Benny the Bull earlier on in the day and Benny also seemed to be in trouble but got a better ride from a better Jock and won IMO.

My analysis remains - a shit ride and I am dissapointed that Big Brown will not make it into the history books because of this. Watch the overhead and see how wide he was pushed. The other comment regarding fitness - the comentators continually drummed into us the that fact that these races are 5 weeks apart. Surely there could be no fitness issues. The problem in my mind is that the Jockey was already selling the Big Brown story and forgot to ride the horse. Hence the dramatic ending. (A true American story I suppose)

The trainers reaction told the story. Watch for falout in the press.

The beauty of this site is that we are entitled to make an opinion and comment on our opinions. (life is great in a democracy)

winner was very impressive,especially when he was straightened up again after spooking a bit with 1/2 furlong too go.really stayed well

As I said - I wouldn't have run him, too risky with the injury, and can only damage his rep.

Now, what to do? Get him right for the BC and race Curlin, and fingers crossed he beats him? OR retire him and say his Belmont run was due to lack of fitness, please still use him as a stud?

I wish the connections all the best, if the stud story isn't BS and they've actually done a $50M deal, fair play to them. If however it's PR and no deals been done, I wish them well getting the maximum from his future endeavors.

Jim.

I must say seeing the fans with BB t-shirts and caps and all the hype was amazing - looked like a Stones concert and the kid singing New York New York- real pity he did not win

www.nytimes.com/2008/06/09/sports/others...ersports&oref=slogin

Once again reporting on $60 mil stud fees dispite breeding - and the probable drop of the fees due to the loss.

www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/ar...AR2008060801678.html

Seems the reporters agree that he was wrestled with and pushed wide.