I completely agree. I am looking at price, which there will be all kinds of with people making their commerative $1 bets on Big Brown. Tale of Ekati made that slow move in the Wood Memorial day which, to me, sets up well as an upsetter or place horse. Regardless of the owners, I want Big Brown to win. It's time for a Triple Crown winner.

It was only Big Brown's fourth start in the Derby. Facing a strong full field of twenty, from the outside. What happened next?

It's interesting he drew the rail;

now - if he wins - he'll have triumphed from the outside, dead center, and inside. Pretty impressive :)

I am soo with you on this, I totally agree!  The Peter Pan stakes was not very impressive and you can bet that I am not betting on Casino Drive either.  I say it it is Big Brown and then Denis of Cork!  

I couldn't agree with you more. I'll be taking the more experienced horses under Big Brown hoping for a Preakness-like exacta payoff. I'll be using the Preakness two-three finishers, Tale, and Denis; one of whom should fill the second spot.

Interesting.

Every reason you gave for Casino Drive's not winning the Belmont are all the reasons that he will!!  Ever wonder why Japanese horses travel to the States and all over the world and win the big races but other horses who travel to Japan are "still running?"  That's because the Japanese have the BEST training methods for horses, and Casino Drive is trained the "Japanese" way!

Jason I could not agree with you more Casino Drive hits the board only if he jumps the rail.  He is stepping up Big Time and he is a non issue.  All eyes will be on Big Brown crushing this field. How much for a Big Brown ALL-ALL.

I agree with this. :) Casino Drive is by far a wonderful horse,and will go on to do great things..after Big Brown has gone to stud. No way Casino Drive can beat Brownie!

Before you toss out Casino Drive, remember that a half sister to this horse beat Curlin, the best horse in the world, at this distance. I see a chalky exacta and will stay away from this race. It is a very poor betting race.

The last three years I've seen

three superstars go down in defeat

with impeccable resume's so Big

Brown has some pretty big hooves to

fill.So for 30 years the best of the best have tried and failed and

this year the crown will be worn?

Let's ask Better Than Honour that

question she has a three peat going

herself and history will be made

with Casino Drive.

casino drive - 2 start against big brown - 5 start....is that seasoned horse?

i know most of us wants to see a triple crown horse but still, we must admit that casino drive really belong to belmont distance against big brown...it is on his blood line. He belongs there.

if you really need value for your ticket, take out big brown and go with tale of ekati.

I just finished  telling a friend the exact same thing. I envision Prado having to make a premature move on a horse he's never ridden. I'm definitely putting the Crane underneath. As for the others that just sat and waited. Several years ago I waited for (5) weeks to get my revenge on a horse called Rampage who should have won the Derby. He still running.

Another point I wanted to make was that the Preakness was a different betting race. Behind BB, you could  toss out the 5 wagering choices behind him and still feel good about the exacta. In no way do I feel good throwing money on BB over 3 others while tossing out Casino Drive and we havent even talked about the very real possibility of BB not coming out on top(distance, quarter crack, 3rd tough race in 2 months, etc).

I'm too young to bet, so I don't worry about odds and such, but I admit finding it hard to dismiss Casino Drive so easily. He's even more unorthodox than Big Brown, but it's because of Big Brown's success that I'm not ready to count Casino Drive out yet. He's done nothing wrong yet. If he falters, then he falters. But right now I'm cheering for him.

May the best horse win!

The Peter Pan was a shorter race so they prepared Casino Drive with a fast work. Makes sense.

I do think they should have entered their rabbit, Spark Candle, in the Belmont. They said Casino Drive doesn't need a fast pace. But Big Brown would need to be pressed hard (like Smarty Jones) for him to weaken.

As to experience, the Belmont isn't nearly as hard a race as the Kentucky derby for a horse with stamina. Racing drug-free may be a bigger handicap, dreadful to say.

Casino Drive is a legitimate bet.

I couldn't agree with you more about Casino Drive.  Yes he's bred for the distance, which only means he should like the distance not necessarily hit the wire 1st because of it.  Every year I hear people talk about horses bred for the distance in the Kentucky Derby and Belmont.  To that I say, all horses can get the distance (1 1/4 or 1 1/2).  The only question is how fast they get there.  I'm not the biggest Big Brown fan, but he could probably run this race with an anchor tied to his tail and still win by open lengths.  That being said, I will, however, play him with Denis of Cork and box them just in case.  Denis of Cork should be set up very nicely for this race & I think will turn in a career best.  Now whether or not that is good enough who knows.  It's still probably not good enough to beat Big Brown unless something goes wrong with Big Brown, but who knows for sure until after the race has been run on Saturday.  I'll play Anak Nakal underneath as I think he will also run well, but that will only be good enough for 3rd.  Big Brown, Denis of Cork / Big Brown, Denis of Cork / Anak Nakal.  I'm ready for a triple crown winner regardless of connections, arrogance, etc.

Jason, you could be entirely right about Casino Drive, but at this point, I don't want to take anything for granted.

I want Big Brown to win... and I'm scared of every horse in this race.

The Belmont is in a class of its own and is never a sure thing, even for Big Brown (sorry Mr. Dutrow and draynay).

Let's hope they all come out safe and sound; they are beautiful, talented, they try very hard and are deserving of our respect and admiration.

Thank YOU!!!  Isn't it interesting that when Brownie put up a big effort in a "tough" race like the Derby, all the EXPERTS said he would "bounce" in the Preakness, because that's what ALL horses do after big efforts and having to run back in just 2 weeks...yada, yada, yada.  But suddenly, when Casino Drive has a big effort in what has somehow become a "super race" the Peter Pan Stakes, the EXPERTS don't think he will "bounce"--no, this super horse is going to improve in the Belmont!!  Give me a break!!!  I'm with Brown all the way to the Crown!!  Go Brownie!!!

I've watched on Youtube.com what I believe is his maiden race (my japanese isn't very good, so I can't be sure) and he raced up near the lead throughout.

He had the lead going into the far turn and just drew away when asked. It was pretty impressive.

The posters to the video also said the track at Kyoto is very sandy and extremely deep, for whatever that's worth.

Oh Ye of little faith.

I would agree with you to some degree. Yes, Casino Drive had a perfectly set up trip in the Peter pan but who is to say he won't get that this time around? If the pace goes fast, I can see Casino Drive sitting off of the pace and coming at the end. If it is a slow pace, he could even be stronger in the end. I say this based off his pedigree alone. I think he will like the distance as he will probably just be rolling when they cross the wire. I do feel his lack of experience will be a factor. He is training very slow which is odd but I am not familiar with the Japanese and their training ways. I would imagine though you want to see a nice breeze to figure out your horses mental state of mind and to see how he is feeling. With his works, maybe CD is not feeling up to par. I worry about him based on his pedigree alone. I still feel that BB is on top of his game and at this point I don't see him getting beat. I do fear the tactics of the other jockeys. I read Steve Haskins article on post position and I feel the same way except I'm not sure it is highly unlikely the jockeys won't use their horses to throw BB off. I saw it with Smarty Jones and frankly wouldn't doubt for a minute it will be part of the play.

that's your opinion Mr. Writer. BUT, BB only had 3 starts before the derby. they say he's so mature. Casino Drive is definately NOT green. He's training great, in my standards, not the clockers and handicappers. BB is only looking good because of this CROP! not much talent guys, sorry.....

I can't stand Dutrow..... "i don't care, my horse is going to win." i have never seen a trainer as cocky as him! for example, an interview was made with Steve Asmussen, and this is his response about the whole Stephen Foster race "It's horseracing. Anything can happen." that is true sportmanship. Curlin is going to smash the feild. who is even entered in it?

Dutrow says that casino drive can't win, and so do you. What you don't know is this: The horse himself. it sounds like dutrow and critics know more about Casino Drive than the trainer/owner himself! Sad, i tell you. you guys are sooooo caught up in wanting a TC winner so bad, you are thinking BB himself is god.

horseracing=gambling

this kinda reminds me of Smarty Jones.......

I have to agree on everything you say but weren't a lot of these questions being asked before the Derby with Big Brown? He did just fine. I myself find Casino Drive very interesting and if someones going to beat Big Brown then it better be a good horse but then again I would love to see a Triple Crown winner. I myself am anticaptating the Belmont Stakes.

ok, lets stop with the better than honour, it making me sick. the bottom line casino drive will be in my ticket which will be a box, but i think he will be either third or fourth. i definately will go with the derby runners, and for the two years in the row victories well let say that jazil was not a good horse, he was just lucky that barbaro got injured and that bernardini didn't run. for rag to riches i would have love to see her run against curlin and street sense in the classic, to see how good she really was. i have more respect for her than jazil or casino drive. picks BB, Denis of cork, tail of ekati, casino drive. i'm considering this new horse that is 50-1 most of his races have been 1 1/2 miles.

Brown wins by 20 Cork 2nd Macho 3 head to the window.

Flyinhome: It's not Dutrow being a jerk. Dutrow and his father are/were very talented horsemen. They've been working with horses for their entire lives.

HE KNOWS A GOOD HORSE WHEN HE SEES ONE. Much less TRAINS one.

It's not being cocky. It's knowing you've got one very talented horse on your hands. He's more than qualified to decide that.

On a side note;

"Although Richard E. Dutrow, Sr. died in 1999, as at February 2007 he remains in the all-time top ten in career wins by trainers."

the horse racing industry is at an all time low.if we get a tc winner it will certainly help bring in new fans of racing. good luck big brown.the future of racing is on your big shoulders

I also watched Casino Drive's maiden race. It set up like a european turf race. They galloped for a mile and a quarter and sprinted home the last quarter.

There is not much speed in here so Kent's hand is kinda forced from the rail, Casino Drive will be able to see what BB does all the way around.  Da' Tara will probably set the pace with BB 2nd or no worse than 3rd.  CD has tactical speed so EP should sit the trip.  Kent is plenty worried about this horse and that is good enough for me.  As far as seasoning goes CD had a more eventful PP than BB has had in any of his races, quantity of races does not equal experience, trips dictate what horses are exposed to and how they react.  As far as facing horses like TOE, and DOC, CD has already run faster in 1 race than they have in their combined careers.  I agree that their is little value in the race but it is the same argument made in 2002, 2004.  Go back and look at the prices those years.  THIS IS THE TEST OF A CHAMPION NOT A FORGONE CONCLUSION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

VACARE wins for fun.

My Ticket Will Have Casino Drive and Denis of Cork and Big Brown

GOGOGO!!!!Denis

Josue, Rags to Riches was a great horse, when she beat Curlin in the Belmont, I believe she even stumbled coming out of the gate.

 But I also think Curlin matured alot through the summer and I don't think Rags to Riches could have beaten Curlin in the Breeder's Cup.

 I don't believe Dutrow has given anything illegal to Big Brown, I know that alot of us would like to see horses drug free, but I think it is possible that Casino Drive might also be using the same thing that Big Brown is using.

The maiden is in post #2 for one reason. Ask smarty jones. It's dirty but it's the way it's gonna be. Big Brown will be pinned and pedrigree alone at a mile and a half will show. Real Quiet, Smart Jones, Silver Charm, Funny Cide all got beat because horses like Empire Maker with outstanding pedrigree beat him. Remember Empire Maker lost the derby because of lost days training due to foot issues.

Mike M,

That is exactly the right way of running the Belmont to win. How many horses have lost it in the last 1/8 of a mile? Many!

Kent knows this already.

Talking about the perfect ride, Jeremy Rose and Afleet Alex, Jeremy was amazing sitting still at the back of the pack until he needed to move.

It is impressive how many jockeys fail to make their horses relax through the initial mile, pressing each other for pace, going the first half in 46, then tired, pretty much crawl the last 3/8s approaching the finish line. Of course this has much to do with training patterns as well.

Last year's, have definitely started changing this trend. John sat off the pace amazingly with Rags to Riches, while Hard Spun was going fast with not so soft fractions.

Is great to see that finally they are starting to realize they are running 1 1/2 miles and not 7/8s.

Lose Big Brown from your exacta, and the returns improve. Casino Drive over Anak Nakal or Macho Again... that's a payout I'd like to see.

Well, I'm, thinking Super Box- BB-Macho-Denis-CD, A few Tri's and some WPS's. I love BB and Macho Again. Since Ferdinand, the Japanese make me nervous, sorry, had to say it.

I hope we see a Triple Crown win. I was not at all into Horse racing in 1978, so this would be a thrill of a lifetime for me. I love the sport, not the controversy that's going on in the sport right now though. But I hope you all have a great Belomont day, win, have fun and I pray for a safe trip for all involved. Right now the top priority should be to keep these wonderful animals safe and healthy. And can I ask; is anyone worried about Guadalcanal, having never broken his maiden? Post 2.... scares me. Thoughts??

Sorry,one (or two)last thought(s). I'm also thinking that if I have to watch another "Smarty Attack" I might have to call it a day with Horseracing. I know all involved stated that Smarty wasn't targeted or ran into the ground, but I saw that race. I was stupified! If I see another "dirty" race, that could be it for me. Growing up, the sport WAS called "dirty." Fixed races, inhumane treatment,(massively) doped up horses, was what I heard about racing. When the sport became more regulated, I was hooked after seeing my first day of races at Monmouth. Now I'm beginning to feel a downward slide. I'm hoping with all my might we have a great race where the horses are allowed to run a true and honest race. If history is to be made, let it be true history. The steroid issue to me, is a non-issue. As long as those steroids are a legal steroid, not a performance enhancing drug, you can be sure they are being used by more than Dutrow. But no one has publicly asked the other trainers, so there ya go....  

I give Casino Drive and the owners credit for one thing... they are stepping up to face Big Brown even when they know they can't beat him. They are not running and hiding ...they came all the way from Japan to get their butts whipped. Funny thing... the Curlin crowd remains quiet. No mention that they will meet the Triple Crown winner at the Breeders Cup and we all know why.....Chicken anyone ?

Flyinhome.... The Stephen Foster has great older horses nominated. Curlin-Perfect Drift-Student Council-Brass Hat-Great Hunter & Einstien. I personally can't wait!!

Here's the link:

news.bloodhorse.com/.../45557.htm

For the exotics bettors that leave out Casino Drive, I wish to fore thank you all for your donation to my lobster and champagne dinner I'll be having with my modest exacta box profit wagered on Casino Drive and Big Brown.

Seriously, did you not hear Kent when he said "We got our hands full...Casino Drive is the only colt who can stride with Big Brown...It should be a great race"?

Who needs a racing form?  I already know Casino is bred and born to wear the Crown Jewel...

I've witnessed his ability...

And Kent said the rest of all I need to know about why Casino Drive is on my exotic ticket.

Put Kent on a lie detector and he'd be telling the whole truth in what he stated about Casino Drive too.  He couldn't lie if he wanted too.  Watch the replay, it's obvious to the naked eye.

And Edgar ain't a slouch.  He's won a couple Crown Jewels already.

Before you make confetti out of those exotic tickets minus Casino Drive, go back and watch the Peter Pan a few times and pay closer attention, as if a 102 speed rating isn't enough to get your attention already.  102 says "for real".  And it is on this very same surface at that.  And Casino slammed that 102 without even leaving the gate for a full second after the bell.

Casino Drive is a young primed million dollar rocket ready to fire.  And it was written that many will watch the young Son of the Kings as he flies right by their confetti filled eyes.  

Although I see your point in some areas, such as Casino Drive not having as much experience as Big Brown, but Big Brown's never broke from an inside post. If he has a good trip, it won't affect him. I know this. I also know that this race isn't just about Big Brown and Casino Drive. Maybe we'll have an upset. Any way it goes, it will probably be a good race. I don't believe this year's 3y/o crop is very good, and I think Big Brown's had it too easy. Casino Drive could give him a good run, maybe not. Also, most of the press has been about Big Brown. Everyone's excited at the prospect of a Triple Crown winner. Personally, I'm rooting for Better than Honour, having three Belmont winners in a row, which is very impressive. I'd be happy either way it goes, as I'm just in it to watch. I'm too young to bet and I live in Alaska where gambling is illegal, so it's not like I lose anything, no matter who wins.

You are about as wrong as wrong can be, when Casino Drive blows by Big Brown after they turn for home and draws off, you'll be scratching your head, saying I sure didn't see that coming.

If the belmont sets up like a turf race with everybody loping around there,like CD's maiden race,I guarantee you there will be a new triple crown winner.

AMERICAN TRAINERS DO NOT KNOW HOW TO TRAIN FOR SUCH DISTANCES. ITS ALWAYS SPEED SPEED SPEED. IF YOU WATCH THE PETER PAN YOU WIL NOTICE THAT CD WAS TAKEN BACK A BIT AFTER THE HALF AND THEN CAME AGAIN. THIS WAS THE IDEA TO GET HIM USED TO AN OFF THE PACE TRIP. CD CAN GO EITHER WAY BUT BB WILL LABOR IN THE STRETCH. NO HORSE WITH A QUARTER CRACK CAN WIN AT A MILE AND ONE HALF. TOO MUCH HEAT. BE HAPPY WITH 3-1 ON CD.

For those of you who choose not to put the future Triple Crown winner on the top of your tickets please help save a tree and donate your worthless paper to: Flash Recycling Corporation

269 Canal St. New York, NY 10013.

CD WINS BY 4... BB LABORS IN THE STRETCH WITH INCREASING HEAT ON HOOF. A QUARTER CRACK CAN NOT BE DISMISSED IN A MILE AND ONE HALF RACE.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE TRACK IS MUDDY, DOES THIS WORK IN FAVOR OF BIG BROWN OR DOES THE OPPOSITE APPLY....IF MUDDY, I GIVE "MACHO AGAIN" A SHOT AT WINNING THE RACE.

I only bet the Derby when it comes to Triple Crown races - just look at the history of payoffs!  At the risk of jinxing Big Brown - I think he's a lock in the Belmont.  I like Casino Drive, but think this is a tough task for this third time out...Japanese style training or no.  It would make for a nice story with that dam producing 3 winners in a row - but a nicer one will be a horse finally capturing the TC after 30 years!

And, the last few horses who attempted the TC were NOT superstars by any means - Funny Cide?  Smarty Jones?  I mean, c'mon people. (now ducking from the objects being thrown at me).  Silver Charm was the last true TC almost-winner champion.

BB is definitely in for his stiffest challenge to date. Foot issues, a marathon race, fresh horses, and the TC jinx.  

I firmly believe that he can lose this race and that Casino Drive, Tale of Ekati, and Denis of Cork are all capable of getting the job done.  The way to make money on this race isn't by filling out the bottom of your exotics with prayers, but rather taking good horses on top who have a chance to upset BB.  I will play 3 separate trifecta tickets as follows:

Ticket 1:  1st:  Big Brown 2nd:  Tale, Denis, Casino 3rd:  Tale, Denis, Casino

Ticket 2:  1st:  Tale, Denis Casino, 2nd: Big Brown 3rd:  Tale, Denis, Casino

Ticket 3:  1st: Tale, Denis, Casino  2nd:  Tale, Denis, Casino 3rd:  Big Brown

This is only an $18 ticket on a dollar wager and as you can see I have stuck BB in all three places of the trifecta.  If he wins or hits the board (almost a certainty) then I'm covered with a chance for a very profitable ticket should he be upset.  That's the ONLY way I'd play this race.  Moderate investment with a chance for a great return.  I'll probably play each of those tickets 5 times or so.  

Simply put, if you are in the starting gate you have a chance. There is only one way to win and many ways to lose. Good luck to everyone.

All valid points in the article and they underscore the difficulty in horseracing and handicapping - there are so many variables and so many differing yet valid ways of interpreting data.  One thing I noticed in the article - the author indicated that he's "not buying it" when it comes to the connections of Casino Drive claiming that these slow work times are what they want right now.  Are you suggesting that there's something wrong with the horse?  I'm not sure that's what you meant but it sort of seemed like that was your point.  For my own part, I don't believe his connections would jeopardize him if indeed something was amiss.  I think this is how they want to bring him up to the race - of course it's very unconventional by North American standards but for that particular horse, it could turn out to be the proper approach for this race.  It's guesswork for us becuase we don't spend time around the horse every day.  In any case, I think Casino Drive has immense talent and also the pedigree to run all day.  His training in the past month will not have put much speed into him but I guarantee he'll have the endurance.  With regard to Big Brown, let's not forget that he will be facing several nice horses and at a distance that his pedigree suggests might be problematic.  Going a mile and a half presents many unknowns so no matter how great Big Brown appears, let's now go ahead with the coronation just yet.

I hate to break it to you but big brown was 2-0 at one point too and won his 3rd race.  Casino Drive will finish strong and Brown won't know what to do.  And 3-1 isn't bad.  I have no problem winning $300 on my $100 bet !!!!!!!!!!

I know some people will think I'm crazy however, I'll Key BB AKA 'Splotchy' on top of Guadalcanal, Anak Nakal and Denis of Cork. I think the maiden might run a big enough race to be on the board since he's the only Belmont starter to already run a mile and a half and only got beat a dirty nose albeit it was on the grass. I like Denis of Cork to improve off his Derby ala Gato Del Sol (2nd in '82)and for Anak Nakal to be dangerous in the last eigth of a mile since his Daddy beat Desormeaux in '98 and Zito knows how to win this race. I look for Casino Drive to 'fold' when the real running starts as his inexperience will trump his pedigree. After 'Splotchy's' work on Tuesday I don't think he will get beat. His hoof is a non issue at this point, remember Touch Gold? To all who heed this advice, see you at the windows, for those who don't.....better luck next time.

jshandler... thanks for the reply.  I can't wait for the race.... personally, I think it's the most exciting lead into a horserace in a long time.  There seems to be more drama surrounding this Triple Crown bid than any of the others over the past decade.  I just wish BB was in the hands of different connections (trainer and owner)... then I would be rooting for him.

Hi, I'm Japanese and I knew Fujisawa's way, who is one of the top trainer in JP. Basically he never asks his horses to prepare so fast before the race, indeed he had said it was regret that CD couldn't finish final preparation on 04/Jun. I appreciate all fans in US are so excited and discussed about CD came from JP. He was born in US, CD will be able to make both US & JP happy when he wins.

If Big Brown wins the Triple Crown it will be a defining moment in the history of horse racing in the      U.S.  We will have a undefeated , triple crown winner trained by a man with 17 separate drug-related violations since 1999. The sport will be at a crossroads; continue with the way things are done now OR attempt to correct those things that are demeaning the sport and denigrating  to  the Throughbred. Consumer confidence in horse racing is on a big decline .

You know I love Big Brown and I was totally rooting for him until I read the article a few minutes ago about Hooters now being his official sponsor and that Hooters girls would join him in the winners circle if he won... give me a break. I still like the horse but I really do not want to see that. Talk about lowbrow commercialism.

1-Casino Drive

2-Big Brown

3-Denis of Cork

4-Tale of Ekati

I already didn't like Big Brown because of Dutrow and IEAH, but adding Hooters as the main sponsor makes it impossible for me to support him.  I have been a horse racing fan and owner for years, but that may all soon come to an end.

J Shandler: i would have to disagree with you when it comes to times. Japanese horses are trained differently. Times (workouts) are pretty much dirt compared to money. They mean nothing. i really don't think he's tired, he just settles. BB does that and i don't see people dissing him. When CD's jockey asks, he gives. CD is being kept on his toes in a box. I have a feeling he's going to come outta the box come saturday. Fusaichi Pegasus (sp) anyone? he was a Japanese horse.....and won the KD.

Norma Jean: thanks for posting that! i didn't see that headline.

Also, i was one of Dutrow's biggest fans for years. Benny the bull, Diamond stripes, and Saint Liam are some of my favorite horses. i think it's so sad the way he is acting. he lost his sportmaship "honest" attitude. if he was honest, anything could happen in the race. And according to dutrow, the race has already happened, and BB is a TC winner.

Oglala Sue, I also saw the video of Casino Drive in Japan. If you noticed, he was under a handride until the stretch, and I also thought it was impressive. Also watched a repeat of the Peter Pan, in which Casino Drive won, but more impressive was the close of Ready's Echo ( post 9 Belmont ). Neither horse has been in the Triple Crown and both are rested.

Let's wait to see if BB can beat older horses(if he shows up). I'm not sure the ones he has beat could beat older horses at Charles Town.

Flyinhome: how can you dismiss times? That makes no sense to me. Times are extremely important when training a horse and when racing a horse. I'm not saying CD should have posted faster workouts because I don't understand the Japanese training philosophy and perhaps he went exactly how they wanted him to but Jason does have a point. Prior to the Peter Pan he was being trained differently. Did you watch "and theyre off" on the website? I loved the way CD was walking. He really does powerwalk. Very unique way of training and maybe it will pay off huge. Perhaps they are training this way due to the distance. Who knows. Whatever the reason, their not talking. CD is well rested compared to BB and only time will tell if it will be enough to take down BB. He will definately have to be in top form to do it. Be watching for some unfortunate race tactics on Saturday. I would like to believe it won't happen but I know better. BB and Kent will have a target on his back.

Wista, I agree with you. We are at a crossroads and lets hope we don't continue as is. We need big changes in this industry.

Hooters???? Can you be serious??? What a joke. I don't mind Dutrow and his mouth has not bothered me but Hooters??? This bothers me.

I apologize if I am being repetitious, but I have never been high on Casino Drive, or the Mineshafts as a whole.  To this date, Mineshaft has been a disappointment in the breeding shed.  Cool Coal Man did win a graded stake, but he was very lucky that day in that the rest of the field was not very talented.  I believe that he will never win another graded stakes unless the field comes up incredibly weak again.  While Casino Drive does have a bit more talent that Cool Coal Man, the talent that he does possess is a far cry from even a horse like Denis of Cork, much less a horse like Big Brown despite that blue-blooded breeding.  In the Peter Pan Stakes, he was merely beating up against a field of weak horses, and he didn't even look that good doing it.  However, even though Big Brown is a far superior animal, he is not unbeatable in this particular race.  The connections have been downplaying the quarter crack, and with the severity of it, there is a good chance that it could affect his performance in the race.  There is also a very good chance that he may never run again after this race because of the quarter crack.  The only thing that can beat Big Brown is that quarter crack combined with a similar performance from Denis of Cork's Kentucky Derby.  Denis of Cork will be a lot closer this time.  If he makes that same kind of move, I believe we will have a horse race on our hands.  I'll be rooting for Big Brown, but my money will be on Denis of Cork.  As for Casino Drive's dam, I would send her back to AP Indy.

I am an old track guy and my track coach even back in my day said, "you can't run faster unless you train faster"  There are things called fast twitch muscles and horses of graded stakes caliber are 90% fast twitch fibers and cells.  If you are not working out fast you are not working out these fibers and producing more fast cells.  That is why you will see very few horses from Japan winning any Graded Stakes Races.  To run fast you must train fast. Look up fast twitch muscles and do a little reading its interesting stuff.

Good points Filly.

BB will be running for Eight Belles as well as for this industry on Saturday. I pray for a safe return of all the horses running. I sure hope BB's quarter crack will be a non issue and will not get worse after Saturday. He will definately deserve some much earned time off.

Uhhm:  I totally agree with you on that.  It's going to be tasteless enough for the Hooters logo to be on BB's jockey but then for Hooters girls to be included in the winners circle if he wins??? Ah, finally after a 30 year Triple Crown drought, we all witness the sport of kings reveling in the rarest of achievements and all the glory that goes with it.... wait a minute, who are these strippers????

Hey, there, Jason . . . As you might remember, I DID post the ICE COLD triple in the Preakness in an earlier communique on this board for all to see. Yes, even a broken clock is right twice a day and a blind squirrel finds an acorn now and again, so I'm aware that that bit of prognosticating prowess doesn't mean I'm destined to be a genius come Saturday -- although it does make me AT LEAST as smart as anyone else who posted on your blog. With that in mind, I must say that I respectfully disagree with your assessment on Casino Drive's chances, particularly your belief that he's more likely to bounce than to improve. No offense, but your logic here eludes me. Let's see if I understand your argument here: one of the key reasons you're diminishing CD's chances is that he had months to prepare for the Peter Pan and won't be having as long to prepare for the Belmont. Well, by that standard, ought not BB be MORE LIKELY to bounce? I mean BB will have had LESS time to recuperate from his rigors of tke Kentucky Derby and Preakness than did CD from the Peter Pan, no?

And while the upcoming Belmont, by virtue of the competition (which is certainly going to be stiffer) and the distance (which will be longer)is certainly going to be more taxing than was CD's run in the Peter Pan, it will similarly pose stiffer competition and a greater distance problem than did BB's Preakness. You also degrade CD's chances because you note that he had a rabbit in the Peter Pan that softened up his opposition, which he won't have in his Belmont run. Fair enough. But even if you have a rabbit, you still need to be good enough to win -- and CD, who seemed to virtually get left at the break in the Peter Pan, still ran tractably, right behind the quick pace turning from home. He then split horses in the center of the track, seemingly under mild urging, like breaking sticks. Furthermore, CD ran his Peter Pan after just clearing quarantine, shipping 7,000 miles and off a 10-week layoff, without the benefit of a prep race! So isn't it AT LEAST as likely -- if not MORE LIKLEY -- that he'll IMPROVE, off what was meant to be a prep race for the Belmont? You also seem, Jason, far to willing to give BB the benefit of the doubt to outrun his pedigree by winning at a mile and a half, while suspecting that CD won't run to HIS 12 furlong-plus pedigree. As far as the concerns you see with his slow workout times (at least compared to the vigorous one you cite, pre-Peter Pan). . . well, yes, it's rather odd. However, from where I sit, these slow workouts would ring more of an alarm bell if they were MERELY slow -- say, four furlongs in 50 seconds or five in 1:03 -- rather than DAWDLINGLY slow. They're so very slow it's difficult for me to imagine that this isn't by purposeful design. The Japanese are, from their business practices to their baseball playing warm-ups, quite fond of regimes. Besides, smart trainers (and CD's trainer would seem to qualify) often resort to unorthodox measures, a la Michael Dickenson, who got Da Hoss ready to repeat in the Breeder's Cup off a single prep race, following a year layoff. So why can't we assume that THIS trainer knows his horse better than we do and, certainly, Dutrow does and he's working his horse in a way designed to bolster his stamina late? The notion that the consistently slow workout times signals he's a hurt animal doesn't seem credible to me, for if you link the two, it would seem to suggest that he's so positively injured that he can barely gallop without wincing in pain and that his connections are willing to run him anyway. That simply doesn't pass the smell test. After all, he cost nearly $1 million at auction and while he won't be syndicated for $50 million, he's doubtlessly worth far more now, so to suggest that his fantastically pedestrian workouts means he's "hurting" and will race anyway doesn't sound too likely to me. Meanwhile, all the talk about Dutrow and IEAH being "cocky" or "crass" or somehow undeserving are ancilliary issues that ought to mean squat to anyone heading to the windows to bet the race, if only because horses don't do character assessments, running better for "good" people and poorly for "unlikeable" people. Getting down to brass tacks, I like the idea that CD is sitting in the five hole, outside of BB on the rail. The Belmont is usually won by a horses who are among the firt phalanx of competitors, rather than closers, so tactical speed is crucial, which would seem to be a recipe for BB trouncing his opponents. And yet, it seems to me that CD also has a very high cruising speed -- and it's my guess is that Prado won't let BB get more than two lengths in front of him throughout the first mile. If BB opens up heading for the finish line leaving everyone in his dust, I won't be stunned, but it says here that he'll be getting the staggers at the eighth pole,  with CD breathing down his throat latch and edging clear late. We'll see, won't we?

Flyinhome:  Fusaichi Pegasus a Japanese horse?  Not by a long shot.  Just because he had a Japanese owner and "Fusaichi" in his name doesn't make him a Japanese horse.  He was trained in America by a non-Japanese trainer & never once ran in Japan (4 races in California, 2 in NY, 2 at Churchill and 1 at Pimlico).  He's no more Japanese than Denis of Cork is Irish (Irish trainer & named after an Irish County).

Also someone earlier mentioned about how the Japanese train different and how that is why they come to the US and win so many of our big races.  What a joke.  If I'm not mistaken Cesario was the 1st Japanese horse to win a Grade 1 in America in the 2005 American Oaks & since then, it has only happened maybe a couple of more times.  I don't see many Japanese horses come to the US to compete and there is a reason for that.

Finally draynay:  Here is a Curlin fan speaking up.  Big Brown is a very talented horse and there is no denying that, but come on!  I hope Curlin and Big Brown meet up before both head off to lucrative breeding careers.  It will be the 1st time Big Brown has a truly talented horse look him in the eye past the 1/4 pole.  Once Desormeaux has to use the whip (which he hasn't but once and that was in the FL Derby and you saw how Big Brown was weaving around the track then), it's lights out for Big Brown.  Curlin will "flush" him down and win by 3 or 4 lengths.  Heck, I hope Big Brown runs in a race against Curlin.  If not, then I will be stuck cashing 1/5 win tickets instead of 8/5.  The value of your Big Brown win tickets, however, will not change a bit.  They would still be losers and worth nada.  

Good luck to all and to all you Casino Drive backers, please run to the window and hammer the BB/CD exacta!  Please, I'm begging you!  That just means that much more in the exacta pool and that much higher of a payout for the BB/Denis of Cork exacta.  I'm with you on this one Jason.  The BB/Denis of Cork exacta box is a no brainer.

Jason move to your left a bit so I can get at him... Phileboy what are you talking about. Did you stop and think how Casino Drive is going to like another 10 pounds on his back?

Slow workouts are slow for a reason I have never in my life seen any horse post slow workouts and then wake up in a Graded Stakes race.. this is not some new type of training this is a horse who is not ready and has no business stepping into a race like the Belmont Stakes to get his head kicked in by Big Brown.  Will Casino Drive "Bounce" lol... he is bouncing all over the place now....wake up.

To Draynay: As far as the extra weight on Casino Drive, it's meaningless. I thought the same thing in '82 when Conquistador Cielo was picking up 15 lbs. off his Met Mile win, and broke from the 11 hole, boy was I wrong! The difference between Casino Drive and 'CC' is 'CC' was coming off a smashing win in record time. Conquistador was perfectly fit and the Met served as a perfect tightener for the Belmont.

Arabs and other foreign people make me laugh when they say that perhaps 'Americans should learn from us' as an Arab owner/trainer stated before the Derby a couple of years ago to which their Derby entry promptly came up short....again. How does the saying go? 'When in Rome do as the Romans do.' I never got why some foreign horseman insist "their way" is the better way, when American horseman have been winning races training this way for well over a hundred years. I'm all for international competition, however even great british trainer John Gosden (who I hated to see go back to europe)said Americans train differently, "a bit faster in the mornings than in europe" and agrees everyone should train like the saying goes "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." I would think Americans train differently for speed and on the dirt, since Europeans tend to race longer distances hence the slower work times that is if their timed at all. Perhaps they should start timing their horses with a sun dial?

To Draynay: One major point I forgot to mention in regards to Casino Drive. Conquistador Cielo had one big advantage over 'CD' other than talent and a sloppy track, he had Woody training him.

That easy slow style and then sprint into stretch ain't going to cut it here.  If you let Big Brown just clip along and post fast fractions and let him get away you have NO CHANCE of catching him. That is what makes him the best horse in the world.  If you stay with him you get burned if you don't you are left trying to catch a horse that can't be caught. Just admire the first Triple Crown winner in 30 years and enjoy the whipping he will put on this field.

So,why can't Casino Drive win the Belmont in his 3rd start,and BB can win the Derby in his 4th?Regardless of what you all think of his slow "gallops" that is the way they do things in Japan where 1 1/2 mile races are practically the norm.Look,they're prepping him to run in the Belmont and NOT the Peter Pan.Why should they put speed into him,it's a marathon race remember...They've been pointing to this race since Day 1...And why should he "bounce"?If BB hasn't,then why should Casino Drive?..Oh!right I almost forgot,BB is one of a kind.NOT!..bruised hoof and all,Casino Drive is a very Live horse tomorrow.

That was some whipping BB put on the field. Oh wait he finished last. Draynay, was there a maiden in the Belmont? Guadalcanal, right? He finished ahead of BB cuz BB ran LAST!! Please, any handicapping tips you can provide, please do, you seem to be SO knowledgeable. BB is a good horse NOT a great one, in a mediocre year, he and Dutrow showed their true colors today.

Hey, Draynay, you putz! What happened? When I gave you a million reasons why I thought Casino Drive could beat Big Brown, you acted indignant and asked me "what was  talking about" and asked me to "wake up." At least the connections of CD knew enough to scratch him when they thought he was hurt; what was Big Brown's excuse? Obviously BB's people thought he wasn't hurting -- he WAS worth $50 million (we'll see if they make that back in stud fees) -- so they thought he was fine and he couldn't beat a rank outsider!!! (Pardon me for a second while I try to stop laughing!) By the way, do you know that out of his entire group of opponents -- eight horses -- a total of four of them combined to win four graded stakes. A pretty pitiful lot by any standard, no? But you sought to lecture us by saying, "If you let Big Brown just clip along and post fast fractions and let him get away you have NO CHANCE of catching him. That is what makes him the best horse in the world. If you stay with him you get burned if you don't you are left trying to catch a horse that can't be caught. Just admire the first Triple Crown winner in 30 years and enjoy the whipping he will put on this field." Some whipping!!! Looks like you're the one who  should be publicly flogged for taking something for granted in a game where it's difficult to take much for granted anytime. How does it feel to be, without question, the biggest jerk on this board for extolling a horse who never beat older horses (and never will, I'm guessing, because he's gonna be retired with some bs injury, you just wait and see) and wound up running like the nag the milkman's uses to pull his wagon when all the chips were on the line? Inquiring minds want to know!!!

Why does everyone assume that Curlin can't run on a synthetic surface?  That's been mentioned a few times.