SilverCharm

Below is a link to a blog by Travis Stone (race caller at Louisiana Downs).  He has done a remarkable job in breaking down the race and this should quiet some of the critics.

http://racecalling.typepad.com/blog/2008/06/kents-ride-stri.html

I have read all of the posts since yesterday's Belmont defeat of Big Brown and have been impressed with the raw emotion expressed by the many serious horse players on this site.  However, when with the perspective of hindsight, I suspect that we will all see that this loss is not the end of the racing world.  Since 1997, six horses had come to Belmont prior to Big Brown with a real chance to sweep the Triple Crown.  I rooted hard for every one of them because I really want to see another Triple Crown winner.  I want to see history.  I want to see a horse that will someday end up among the all time greats.  However, given the power of hindsight, I am not at all disappointed that these horses did not win because they are not of the caliber befitting a Triple Crown winner. 

Those six horses were: Silver Charm (1997), Real Quiet (1998), Charismatic (1999), War Emblem (2002), Funny Cide (2003) and Smarty Jones (2004).  Silver Charm is a Hall of Famer who has rightly taken his place as a great horse.  However, none of the others on the list should be mentioned in the same breath as Affirmed, Seattle Slew, or Secretariat.  None of the others distinguished themselves in any significant race outside of the Triple Crown series.  Real Quiet was a good, but not great four-year old.  Funny Cide raced seemingly forever but was never a top echelon horse after the third Saturday in May.  None of the others even raced as a four year old. 

At the time of their respective Belmont defeats, I was deflated and in at least one case a bit devastated.  Looking back, I am not disappointed at all.  When the next Triple Crown winner comes along (and I assure you that one will come along), I want him to take his rightful place among the sports all time greats. 

Big Brown was wonderful in his four races this year.  He destroyed the best this crop had to offer.  However, in the test of champions, he failed to show up.  Despite what his connections said, you simply can't miss as much time in training as he did and come up to a race like this fit and ready to go.  Perhaps he will race again.  Perhaps he will dominate in the Travers and the Breeder's Classic.  Perhaps he belongs among the all time greats.  However, more likely, a few years from now, he will simply be another name on the above list of horses who were very good. At that point, the disappointment will fade.  Further, if next year a horse wins both the Derby and Preakness, the same excitement will return.  That, my friends, is the beauty of racing.

Rave's latest blog speculates on whether Big Brown will run again after the Belmont Stakes.  My money is on no, but for those like Rave who think otherwise, you may want to check out the list of props that Bodog is offering on the Belmont.   This is all just in fun but the second item on the list in interesting.  The full list is below:

Will Big Brown win the Triple Crown?

Yes -300
No +220


Will Big Brown race again after the Belmont Stakes?

Yes +275
No -400


Will the official TV rating of the 2008 Belmont Stakes broadcast on ABC exceed the 13 share rating in 2004 when Smarty Jones attempted to win Triple Crown?

Yes -200
No +150


What will Big Brown's margin of victory in the Belmont Stakes be?

1 - 5 Lengths 1/5
6 - 10 Lengths 7/2
Over 10 Lengths 20/1


Who will jockey Kent Desormeaux thank first upon being interviewed after the 2008 Belmont Stakes?

God/Jesus ` 10/1
Horse - Big Brown 3/1
Family or Family Member 6/5
Owner - IEAH Stables or partnership member 8/1
Trainer - Rick Dutrow 9/2
Fans/General Public 5/1


Will Big Brown win the Belmont Stakes going wire to wire?

Yes +450
No -750


Will Big Brown take the lead in the Belmont Stakes and lose it?

Yes +150
No -200


Will jockey Kent Desormeaux whip Big Brown between the 1/8th pole and the finish line of the Belmont Stakes?

Yes -350
No +250


Which position will Big Brown be in at the official first quarter mile time of the Belmont Stakes? (According to Equibase results chart)

1st or 2nd place 1/1
3rd through 5th place 5/7
6th place or higher 14/1


Which position will Big Brown be in at the official first half mile time of the Belmont Stakes? (According to Equibase results chart)

1st or 2nd place 1/1
3rd through 5th place 5/7
6th place or higher 14/1


Will Big Brown's winning time in 2008 Belmont Stakes be faster than that of Affirmed - 2:26 4/5. in 1978?

Yes +150
No -200


Will Belmont Park attendance for the 2008 Belmont Stakes exceed that of 120,319 in 2004 when Smarty Jones attempted to win the Triple Crown?

Yes -275
No +200


Will the total all sources handle for the Belmont Stakes exceed the record $114,887,994 wagered in 2004 when Smarty Jones attempted to win the Triple Crown?

Yes EVEN
No -140


Which horse will win by more lengths, Big Brown in the 2008 Belmont Stakes or Curlin in the Stephen Foster Handicap June 14th?

Big Brown in Belmont Stakes EVEN
Curlin in Stephen Foster -140


Will Big Brown remain undefeated in 2008?

Yes -250
No +180


Odds to win the Belmont Stakes - Grade 1 - Belmont Park, New York

Big Brown 1/3
Casino Drive 7/2
Denis of Cork 10/1
Tale of Ekati 20/1
Behindatthebar 25/1
Anak Nakal 40/1
Macho Again 40/1
Readys Image 50/1
Icabad Crane 50/1
Mint Lane 50/1
Spark Candle 50/1
Tomcito 50/1


Belmont Stakes - Grade 1 - Belmont Park, New York - WITHOUT Big Brown

If Big Brown wins and your horse is 2nd - you win. If your horse wins - you win.

Casino Drive 6/5
Denis Of Cork 9/2
Tale Of Ekati 15/2
Behindatthebar 8/1
Anak Nakal 12/1
Macho Again 12/1
Readys Image 16/1
Icabad Crane 16/1
Mint Lane 16/1
Spark Candle 16/1
Tomcito 16/1

In an interview yesterday, Rick Dutrow had the following to say: "Well, I've seen Curlin get beat by a filly -- so that is not impressive to me. I can't imagine there's a filly breathing air that could beat Big Brown."

Bold?  Insensitive?  Cocky?  All of the above.  And that is exactly what this sport needs.  If Big Brown wins the Triple Crown, it sure sounds like he will run again.  Dutrow says that Travers and then the Breeder's Cup Classic.  Since the Travers is restricted to three year olds only, the Classic is the only chance for Big Brown and Curlin to face off.  I hope Dutrow keeps making bold statements all summer and Fall.  This Classic could be the race of the decade and Dutrow is going to make sure that it stays on everyone's minds.