Where's Waldo, I mean Big Brown?

re: Where's Waldo, I mean Big Brown?

Matthew W — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 19:57:47 GMT

Am disturbed by Big Brown going in the Haskell instead of The Travers, of for that matter, The Arlington Million vs elders---BECAUSE he's only gonna dance a couple more dances his races must count for more than the more accomplished racehorse--that's just the way it is if 'ya want greatness in this sport--but DO come West in October, and win the Horse Of Year---cuz I think he's the best since 'Bid.....

re: Where's Waldo, I mean Big Brown?

Karen2 — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 17:08:48 GMT

Misfortune comes in many different forms on the race track. To say the good horses over come adversity and win is far to broad of a statement. Some adversity's can be conquered and some can't. It is all part of the racing equation. It is my belief Afleet Alex would have been a triple crown winner had he not faced so many "adversity's" in the Derby. He still managed a third place finish after coming back to the paddock battered and bruised after a horrible trip but came back to make Preakness history and blew his competition (including the derby winner Giacamo) away by 7 lengths. The best horse doesn't always win. BB doesn't deserve to be chastised for his performance in the Belmont. He faced a lot of adversity and other circumstances and he lost.. At the end of the day, that is horse racing folks.

re: Where's Waldo, I mean Big Brown?

TerriV — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 12:40:58 GMT

Mike, I'm not sure what you are basing your guess on with regard to where Big Brown would have placed if he'd been allowed to run. Certainly not on his past performances or on the part of the race that he was actually allowed to run. In fact, in his pre-race analysis, Jerry Bailey showed Big Brown's perfect race exactly as it was up until he was pulled up. Sitting 3rd most of the way around. And, just for the record, even truly great horses have a bad day once in awhile. Even the incredible, almost perfect Secretariat lost a few.

re: Where's Waldo, I mean Big Brown?

draynay — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:09:21 GMT

MikeM... give it a rest. Adversity ? The 20 post and going 4 wide is not adversity? In the Preakness having Prado rush up and try to box you in is not Adversity? You may not want to blame the shoe but I have proof that it was the shoe... his 5 prior races!

You won't have to worry about Adversity anymore... I have a feeling he will go to the lead from now on knowing they are hunting for him.

re: Where's Waldo, I mean Big Brown?

merrywriter — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 07:17:43 GMT

I say it is disappointment that has kept the fans quiet. Disappointment with gas prices; disappointment with our government and its ecnomic policies; and disappointment that a bright spot, the Triple Crown, was not attained. We can't seem to get out of our American slump as the economy is outsourced, wages depressed and the dollar plummets. The air has gone out of the national balloon and Big Brown, the purest of our American blood, failing to capture the Crown, for good reason if he was physically not right, is another literal let down.

BUT I PERSONALLY AM A HUGE FAN OF BROWN, CURLIN, PYRO, ZENYATTA, NOT TO MENTION GOOD OLD RELAIBLE LAVA MAN.

re: Where's Waldo, I mean Big Brown?

Steve Haskin — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 06:33:25 GMT

Thanks, Karen. I better be funny. Why do you think my wife has put up with me for 28 years?

Josue, I forgot about Blackberry Road, I will inquire about him. I havent heard anything official about War Pass, but there are reports that he's been very slow coming around. I'll see Zito next week and find out more.

re: Where's Waldo, I mean Big Brown?

Karen2 — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 04:00:16 GMT

Steve, Just got finished watching your "and they're off" video. From one knucklehead to another...great video. I knew you were one smart horse racing cookie but I am learning you are quite funny as well. I really appreciate the farewell to Vindication. I had been thinking about him everyday since his passing. Thanks for keeping me in touch with the greatest athletes in the world. I don't know where you find the time to post blogs but I sure am glad you have added this to your list of job duties.

re: Where's Waldo, I mean Big Brown?

russell maiers — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 03:11:52 GMT

your right steve, be careful not to blame the spectators after all they have been trained to follow the triple crown and thats it. We do a lousy job promoting horse racing after the belmont and rememeber no one runs at age 4 anyway so again they have been trained to forget. Most fans i know no nothing about when the 3 year olds finally race older horses, or the melborne cup and makibi diva,all the other great races overseas,and even the breeders cup. Saint Liam? who was that. No dis respect to all the people who wrote in here as they are real fans but the fact is most of the triple crown stuff fans end with it and because thats how they have been taught.

re: Where's Waldo, I mean Big Brown?

MikeM — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:11:14 GMT

Karen2 His shoe was not hanging off.He was not sore,off, or lame from it.Not during the race not post race and not the day after.If he was we would have heard about it because they needed an excuse for that sorry performance.I also believe every other horse ran in the same heat.If KD didn't ease him he would have lost by thirty instead of fifty plus lengths.The truly great horses overcome adversity of all kinds.The fact is that BB failed miserably when faced with it in the Belmont.

re: Where's Waldo, I mean Big Brown?

josue555 — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 01:40:47 GMT

hey steve have you heard anything on war pass or blackberry road? please let me know.

re: Where's Waldo, I mean Big Brown?

Oglala Sue — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 01:10:24 GMT

Karen2...I left out two important words when I was editing my post (clearly I did a poor job).

I think there's no doubt Big Brown is a grade one horse. BUT I think he was for the most part "beating the" equivilant of grade 3, or grade 2, horses.

Big omission on my part.

If it is mean spirited that I was glad a horse didn't win the Belmont because I thought he didn't deserve to be included in the same group as Secretariat, Seattle Slew and Affirmed...fine.

re: Where's Waldo, I mean Big Brown?

Steve Haskin — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 23:19:15 GMT

TerriV, I agree with you 100% about the whole fiasco of him being eased/pulled up. It was way too dramatic, and then everything Desormeaux said after the race was the wrong thing to say. You have to think a little before opening your mouth. He just made a bad situation much worse.

re: Where's Waldo, I mean Big Brown?

Steve Haskin — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 23:14:35 GMT

Helen, thank you for the kind words, but we're all knuckleheads in our own way, so just look at it as one knucklhead responding to another. Lava Man is coming off a big effort in a grade I and is dropping one pound off it, which is correct. Spring House won a grade II under 116. He ran badly in Dubai under 123 in a weight for age, so that's a cross-out. Off the Obispo, he picks up one pound, which also is about right, so I dont have any problem with the weights.

re: Where's Waldo, I mean Big Brown?

Clay — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 22:52:15 GMT

Personally I'm not going to bet on Big Brown in the Haskell. That Belmont race may have really screwed his head up. His workouts are not as sharp as his previous works and that might be an indicator. Dutrow did say that the shoe was not the problem in the race and Kent D. said the horse was tired. I have seen horses go straight downhill like this before.But he does have a chance to redeem himself, I'm just not going to bet on it.

re: Where's Waldo, I mean Big Brown?

HelenS — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 21:37:57 GMT

Hello Steve,

It is an honor to read your blog and have you respond to us knuckleheads! Thank you for your personal tidbit about Big Red. I am salivating waiting to read more! I still remember that great article of yours recalling the amazingly cool Invasor. About Brownie, my disappointment on Belmont day took me a while to get over...but at least everyone was safe. Of all the horses to win, Da'Tara?? I had seen him on Preakness day and I was severely repremanded by an assistant trainer for taking Da'Tara's picture inside the paddock. How strange it was for me to watch him beat my boy. Anyway, I did get to witness BB's greatness on Preakness day, and I wish him nothing but the best. I assumed he was injured or something that we would find out about later; therefore the information blackout. I hope he can regain his glory, but I know his connections will not risk racing him in the Haskell if he is not 100% sound. A question for you Steve, why is it that even though Lava Man has not won in over a year, he is high weight in his next race over the likes of the younger Spring House? Anyway, Go Big Brown... and Go Lava Man!

re: Where's Waldo, I mean Big Brown?

Dallas — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 21:11:37 GMT

Just so that you know I’m still the biggest fan of Big Brown, I have purchased tickets to the Haskell, plane ticket from Texas and made hotel reservations just to go see my hero (next to Barbaro) completely blow away the field. I go to the local track here in Texas but this is the first time that I will travel to go see a horse race, and it’s because he is a special horse. It frustrates me that I can’t find anything on the websites regarding his training or well being. But let me sound like Dutrow here for a moment…this is a magnificent and powerful horse with acceleration like I’ve never seen. There was so much excitement in the way he pulled away from the pack in all of his races. What happened at the Belmont has no affect in my belief in this horse. Big Brown will win the Haskell and I’m going to be there to witness it. Big Brown had it, has it and will have it on August 3rd! Get your popcorn ready!

Dallas from Texas

re: Where's Waldo, I mean Big Brown?

TerriV — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 19:28:45 GMT

I have never blogged before but this has been eating me up since the Belmont. Big Brown did not lose the Belmont - he was not allowed to finish. I was at both the Preakness and Belmont and will be at Monmouth. Big Brown is an amazing, exciting althlete who should/could have been a Triple Crown winner. I'm not saying he was Secretariat (no one ever will be) but like Danylson I saw a similarity in how I felt watching him race. It is phenomenal to see his understanding of what he is suppose to do when he hits that final stretch. Both BB and racing fans were robbed. We will never know what might have happened when he saw that stretch to the finish. He certainly proved his ability to turn on that speed in all his previous races. He was not "eased up", he was pulled up hard, fighting it the whole way. And he was running 3rd when he was pulled up. It was actually dangerous; he could've been injured (remember the speculation about Eight Belles jockey pulling her up too hard - well that was nothing compared to how BB was pulled up). And if Kent D thought something was wrong, why wasn't he off that horse and checking him out - why were the first words out of his mouth "there's nothing wrong with him"? And like UCLinden - why isn't there an investigation? A good analogy would be an olympic athlete who worked all his life to run in the Olympics for the Gold but on the day of the race when he's half way around the track, his coach comes out and pulls him off the track because he looks a bit tired. ???? Or maybe the Yankees playing the 7th game of the World Series down by one in the last inning and the manager says "you guys look tired - let's just go home now" ???? Who would ever stand for such a thing? The difference with these examples is the Yankees could play in another World Series, a runner could go to another Olympics. But Big Brown can never run that race again. He was cheated of his one opportunity. I hope he blasts everyone away and wins everything he has the opportunity to win. It won't give him back that race but he is a magnificent horse and I hope he goes out that way.

re: Where's Waldo, I mean Big Brown?

FormerFan — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 19:13:14 GMT

So Big Brown won the derby out of post 20, I hope so, because the rest of the field couldn't beat my prize winning Alpine Goat. Secretariat dropped back to last, deliberately, in his derby and still broke the stakes and track record. How many track and stakes records has Big Brown broke or equaled? Have they nailed that loose shoe back on his hoof yet?

re: Where's Waldo, I mean Big Brown?

Phil — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:50:07 GMT

I for one haven't forgotten about Big Brown. This is a talented colt and in the right hands, could be a great horse ( I don't think he has proven "greatness" at this point), but he might have a chance if IEAH would move him to another barn(there are alot of really good trainers around) and put Edgar Prado on his back. Edgar is the best in the business!

re: Where's Waldo, I mean Big Brown?

UCLinden — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:31:01 GMT

Just an inquiring thought to all of you ....... Do you think the public media should have more news about thoroughbred horse's and racing ? ? For the most part, I think the media gives coverage to pre - derby trials , the two prior weeks leading up to the derby , and the period following for both The Preakness and Belmont. Do you think the thoroughbred industry should submit articles for publication , especially in those areas where the tracks are open ?

We in the horse business are aware of the recent Congressional hearings, but what about the public ? Shouldn't the general public be aware also, especially after the Eight Belles tragedy. We discuss attendance , handle, revenue , why BB has not been in the news , maybe , just maybe , the horse industry leaves the public in the dark and we wonder why fan base is eroding. Don't you think they would like to know the goings on, what we are doing for horse safety and to present a better product for them ... our fans ???

Maybe the problems stem from the lack of our own public relations , and then we turn around and say " why have they forgotten us " , maybe because we have forgotten them !!!

I'm sure, no matter where it is you reside , you like to be kept informed about what is going on around you ...... don't you think the horse fan would like to be also know what is going on. How many racing fans do you think really know about any horse web sites they can go to for news, commentary, articles ,etc. ?

Do we just take the racing fan for granted, " oh , they'll show up at racing time and support us " , but right here , this column questions why the public has forgotten Big Brown. Well folks, guess its because we may have forgotten them, the racing fans.

re: Where's Waldo, I mean Big Brown?

Zatman — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:30:37 GMT

Regarding the Haskell,

Here are the invitees...

Anak Nakal, Atoned, Behindatthebar, Big Brown, Big Truck, Cherokee Artist, Chris Got Even, Colonel John, Cool Coal Man, Da' Tara, Dixie Chatter, Famous Patriot, Harlem Rocker, Hey Byrn, Icabad Crane, Macho Again, Magical Forest, Mambo Meister, Maya's Storm, Mint Lane, My Pal Charlie, Nistle's Crunch, Pyro, Ready Set, Ready's Echo, Recapturetheglory, Roman Emperor, Tale of Ekati, Tiz Now Tiz Then, Tres Borrachos, Truth Rules, Two Step Salsa and Z Fortune

D'Tara is going to the Jim Dandy and Pyro is likely headed there as well. I think Cool Coal Man and Anak Nakal may head up there as well since Zito usually does most of his racing from up there, but he may not want to crowd the field with three horses.

Roman Emperor ran at Delaware this past week and came in 5th in the Barbaro Stakes. He beat D'Tara in the same stakes at Pimlico. Cherokee Artist was in that race too. So they are possibilities.

The runners in the Long Branch last weekend will likely be in the field...

Truth Rules

Hey Byrn

Z Humor

Atoned

Indy Joe...

So any or all of these could be in the Haskell.

re: Where's Waldo, I mean Big Brown?

Zatman — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:07:30 GMT

I do not know what the big mystery is with Big Brown. Look at all the great horses that came before him. This is a down year for three year olds. Everyone acknoweldge that. Big Brown was lightly conditioned for the longest race in his career because of a quartercrack injury. It was an unseasonably hot evening. It was his first race on the Belmont Track. Few horses have won the Belmont Stakes without first having a race on the Belmont Track. Finally, his jockey gave him an awful ride. Desormeaux gave an ESPN interview the day before the race where he mentioned the key to riding Big Brown was letting the horse do what he wanted. Approaching that first turn, Kent had him all over the place not allowing him to do anything he wanted to do. Then, he had a shoe come off in what is known as The Big Sandy racetrack and everyone says its such a mystery why he didn't win. I think with all that was conspiring against Big Brown it would have been a miracle if he won.

Without the heat, the lack of conditioning, the lack of competition, the jockey error, and the horseshoe coming would Big Brown have won? I do not know. BUt I think a good case could be made that he may not have because of the arduous burden that winning the Triple Corwn is on even the best horses.

re: Where's Waldo, I mean Big Brown?

Karen2 — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:30:00 GMT

Mike M. Then that would make BB's tactical speed brilliant. I believe only one other horse has ever won the derby from the 20 post in the history of the derby. Sometime back in the 40's I think. When was the last time you ran full speed with someone holding you back after colliding with someone else and getting your shoe ripped off and having it hang there with a nail still sticking out of it when it was 100 degrees and then get nearly stopped and asked to go 5 wide at a mile and half oh and don't forget not necessarily prepared for the race due to the fact that you had an injury on your foot that kept you out of training??? Maybe BB doesn't like tight quarters. Maybe that is his downfall. Perhaps more experience would solve that problem. Keep in mind the results of the race were caused by the jockey, not the horse. He didn't ease himself up in the stretch.

re: Where's Waldo, I mean Big Brown?

Equine Paparazzi — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:26:08 GMT

I don't see the big deal about not going bonkers over two mediocre works. A lot of you people who are going on and on about how this horse is going all the way to win the BC Classic are going to be awfully disappointed when BB, if he even runs, misses the board behind Well Armed and any two other horses entered, and maybe even Evening Attire. Can any of you say flash-in-the-pan? And why is every just conceding the Haskell to this horse? We ALL did that at Belmont, remember?

re: Where's Waldo, I mean Big Brown?

MikeM — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 15:46:13 GMT

The 20 post for the Derby is not the worst post for a horse with tactacle speed. Besides we all saw the results when BB was in tight quarters. By the way, the stakes record for the derby, i believe, is still held by Big Red.