TimTurrell

There's no other scene like the Preakness Stakes barn; especially when the Kentucky Derby winner arrives!

It was 8:06PM, Wednesday night, when Big Brown stepped off the van and into the Preakness Stakes barn, into normally the historic stall 40, which is always reserved for the Kentucky Derby winner. Well, Big Brown's trainer Rick Dutrow called an audible and used the stall directly next to it. He looked sensational as he walked by me (video below), carrying excellent weight and showing his normal perfect composure as the flash photographery snapped like popcorn. He walked right into his stall at which point Dutrow politely asked all the photographers to please step back from the shedrow.

About 8:30 this morning Big Brown made his way to the Pimlico main track for the first time. I was very anxious to see if there was any signs of wear-and-tear following his demonstrative Derby win. Well, let me tell ya, he looks absolutely INCREDIBLE! I positioned myself to shoot some video of him making his way down the outside path to the Pimlico track and as he calmy walked by me (with trainer Rick Dutrow right behind) he looked like a shiny penny. His coat is glistening and he looks bright and happy. As he jogged on to the main track, with his regular exercise rider Michelle Nevin aboard, he jogged the wrong way before she turned him around for a mile-and-a-half gallop. Just like he did before the Derby, he just skipped effortlessly around the Pimlico track displaying the same fluidity and energy. And just like any other day at the office, he walked off the track and back to the barn for his bath.  The "Big" horse is ready to roll!

The training plan for Big Brown is to do the same thing Friday, then on Saturday he's actually gonna breeze about an eighth-of-a-mile through the stretch. As I stood next to Jerry Bailey, trainer Rick Dutrow said he just wants to "tighten him up a little bit."

Below are two videos I shot. The first is his arrival Wednesday night and the second is his trip to the track Thursday morning.