The long, long shadow of Big Brown

Baltimore

At this point there is little to add to the dialogue in regard to Big Brown. Against any standard, the Kentucky Derby winner towers over 11 three-year-olds who have shown up at Pimlico, most of whom are here because (1) a million dollars will be distributed and the winner takes only 60 percent and (2) anything can happen in a horse race.

The withdrawal of Behindatthebar, who suffers from a bruise of the left fore hoof, on Friday, is essentially neutral – helps no one, hurts no one in a group that with the exception of the prohibitive favorite is without Grade I credentials.

Kent Desormeaux, who will ride the undefeated Big Brown in the 133rd Preakness on Saturday, takes nothing for granted, citing an entirely unpleasant experience while aboard another odds-on Kentucky Derby winner here eight years ago.

“Fusaichi Pegasus was a horse I didn’t think could lose and I knew I was done 50 yards out of the gate,” Desormeaux said on Friday. “He just went for a gallop that day. He’s what reminds me that you still have to run the race.”

That said, those who would advise a bet against Big Brown on Saturday are few, far between and grasping at straws. When he overcame a death-sentence draw while losing ground throughout the 10 furlongs of the Derby and crushed 19 horses, a better group than this one, the questions were answered. If there is a weakness, it has yet to be revealed. The only options for those considering this race as a betting opportunity are in the exotic, multi-layered pools and requires going deeper than the exacta.

Like the Derby field, there is a fair amount of early speed in this group. And, since much of the speed failed to show up on Derby day, the Preakness has the potential for a stronger pace than that in Kentucky. Gayego could be an early factor after breaking badly at Churchill, which changed the dynamic, probably without consequence. Giant Moon’s outside the draw will force him to use his early speed and Tres Borrachos has enough speed to influence the pace dynamic but Big Brown appears capable of winning this race on the lead should rider Kent Desormeaux chose that approach.

The race for second behind Big Brown, which looks nothing like the Derby, is wide open. Still, several will be hard pressed to make an impact.

Kentucky Bear has shown little since a smart maiden win at Gulfstream in January. Racecar Rhapsody has not shown that he is in the class with most of these. Stevil, given every chance, has shown little that would merit consideration as a potential factor in the purse division. Macho Again has indicated strongly that he is a sprinter, evidence ignored by his connections following a win in the 7 ½-furlong Derby Trial.

While the turns at Pimlico are no sharper than those at Churchill Downs – the fallacious visual impression is the result of a considerably narrower track – it favors speed nevertheless. The surface was also sealed on Friday, vitually assuring a hard, fast track by late Saturday afternoon. Along with Big Brown, the surface here will flatter the other, less formidable, speed horses.

Giant Moon is better than is last two races suggest, is best when in front and a wide draw probably forces rider Ramon Dominguez's hand at the break. Gayego lost any chance he may have had in the Derby when off slowly and faces the same tactical problem as Giant Moon. Tres Borrachos (which translates in English to Three Drunks), drawn inside and also a need-the-lead type, managed to sustain his speed on synthetic surfaces in California and has only

Hey Byrn, winner of the Holy Bull Stakes in Florida run at the Preakness distance, 1 3/16 miles, has a task complicated by a wide draw but sufficient positional speed and the best late-pace figures in the field. Rider Chuck Lopez is faced with working out a trip, but this is a colt with as much ability as any of these not named Big Brown and he will be largely overlooked in the betting. Riley Tucker is a progressive colt better than his one-for-seven record would suggest who has been out of the money only once and will benefit from the presence of Edgar Prado – at a price. Icabad Crane, a New York-bred based at Fair Hill, has three wins from four starts including the Tesio Stakes over this course and is well drawn – another long-priced horse capable of taking part of this. Yankee Bravo’s only race on dirt was solid and though he may be better on grass, his late run puts him in the mix, at least peripherally.

A $1 trifecta key using Big Brown over seven horses – Hey Byrn, Riley Tucker, Yankee Bravo, Icabad Crane, Gayego, Giant Moon and Tres Borrachos is $42. -- PM

The card at Pimlico

Race 1
2. Crafty Schemer
6. Don’ttrythisathome
1. Road Show
7. Brush On

Race 2
11. Virginia Minstrel
14. We’re Sailing
13. Treasure Map
5. Motown Shuttle

Race 3
7. Cognac Kisses
5. Forest Park
3. Suave Jazz
1. Celtic Innis

Race 4
10. Shining Punch
8. Off the Glass
2. Let Me Be Frank
1. Rooten Hero

Race 5
2. Ursula’s Passion
1A. Hold That Prospect
6. Akronism
1. Tiger Storm

Race 6, The Gallorette Handicap, Grade III
3. Roshani
2. Stormy West
4. Lady Digby
1. Valbenny

Race 7
1. Roman Emperor
2. MJ’s Echanteur (will be scratched)
3. Spurrier
5. Da’Tara

Race 8
6. Hesa Big Star
8. True To Tradition
12.Hero’s Reward
3. Rouse The Cat

Race 9, The Hirsch Jacobs Stakes, Grade III
3. Lantana Mob
8. Force Freeze
9. Silver Edition
6. Indy Joe

Race 10, The Dixie Handicap, Grade II
8. Salinja
9. Pick Six
7. Ra Der Dean
2. Distorted Reality

Race 11, The Allaire DuPont Distaff, Grade II
7. But the Barrel
6. Lexi Star
3. Peaches Flambe
4. Bear Now

Race 12, The Preakness, Grade I
7. Big Brown
13. Hey Byrn
10. Riley Tucker
12. Gayego.