TimTurrell

Monday, June 9, 2008

I've had the privilege of attending the last 10 Triple Crowns and they never get old. But this year was different. It had it all and took many people through a full range of emotions that included joy, anger, jealousy, resentment and sadness.

Here's my thoughts:

BIG BROWN - His win in the Kentucky Derby was sensational although overshadowed by the tragic death of Eight Belles. His win in the Preakness was nothing short of breathtaking. The Belmont Stakes, and the Triple Crown, looked like a "forgone conclusion," but it wasn't meant to be and, once again, proves that there are no "sure things" in this game and the Triple Crown remains one of the toughest feats in all of sports. I'll never forget Big Brown. He remains one of the most talented horses I've ever been around. Let's hope he remains in training and returns to greatness in the Travers Stakes.

KENT DESORMEAUX - What a great story. Just a couple years ago his career was basically done. It took uprooting his family, moving east, and never losing hope that returned him to the top. He's a good guy and has gone through a lot with his son Jacob's health problems. Hopefully you had a chance to see the feature we did on the ABC Belmont Stakes telecast. It was a tear-jerker.

RICK DUTROW - Ah, yes. Does anybody have an opinion on this guy? In MY opinion, he's great...and great for racing. He's a natural character in a game full of stuffy, no personality, buffoons. Admittedly he's not perfect and he pulls no punches. When he spoke, you listened. You might not have agreed, but you listened. He wasn't afraid to be controversial. Good or bad, he garnered HEADLINES. How many other trainers do that? That's GOOD for the game!

IEAH - I have mixed feelings on these guys. I think they're a shady ownership group led by Michael Iavarone who has a history of stock shenanigans and erroneous resume details. But, they're putting MILLIONS into the game, so that's a good thing.

TRIPLE CROWN - Unfortunately the 30-year gap between Triple Crown winners remains intact after Big Brown faltered in the 140th Belmont Stakes and, once again, proves how the feat is one of the toughest (and greatest) in sports. Critics say the spacing of the three races should be stretched. To me, that's nonsense! We should make it easier? Why? In the last 11 years we've had six horses with the opportunity, three of them came within less than a length. So, stop the nonsense! The Triple Crown is alive and well and should NEVER be changed.

I can't wait for next year!

Friday, June 6

Have just receiveced word that the Japanese import Casino Drive has a left hind foot bruise and will "could" scratch from the 140th Belmont Stakes!

In other news: To say it's been hectic (albeit exciting!) around the Belmont Park racetrack would be an understatement! I've been working on feature for the ABC telecast on the foot problem history of Big Brown. It's been fun, but VERY time consuming. I think you'll like what you see.

The "Big" horse has looked great and all systems appear go. I captured his workout on Tuesday (see below) and have been very close to the Dutrow camp all week in working with this feature. They are very confident that the quarter crack will not be a problem. Today, the final step in Big Brown's treatment, will be the placement of an acrylic patch over the effected quarter crack area. Ian McKinlay, who will perform the procedure, told me this patch will make his hoof stronger and he will be at 100%.

It's very unfortunate to possibly lose Casino Drive because it added intrigue to the race. But, as we all know in this game, the highs are extremely high and lows are even lower!

Talk soon....Go Big Brown!

The recent events of Big Brown's injury illustrates not only how fragile these horses are, but just how tough it is to win the Triple Crown. I don't care if it's a walkover, running these three races in just five weeks (regardless of the competition) is a major acomplishment!

As most of you know by now, Big Brown is suffering from a common injury called a quarter crack. It's comparable in human terms to splitting your toenail; obviously in varying degrees if severity. Well, in Big Brown's case, it's not a severe quarter crack. It can be treated. But, nonetheless, it's significant enough for him to miss training and require extensive care by specialist Ian McKinlay. Ian, ironically enough, was who repaired Touch Gold's damaged hoof so he could go on to upset Silver Gold's Triple Crown attempt in the 1997 Belmont.

I'm told from very credible sources close to the connections that the Dutrow camp is cautiously optimistic. The good news is Big Brown went to the track for a nine-furlong gallop this morning. The bad news is there is still too much pressure and inflammation to apply the bonding patch to the cracked quarter. So, the plan is to re-evaluate him and hopefully apply the adhesive patch Friday morning.

I'll keep you posted...

Anyone that has been reading my blogs over the last couple months might be sick of me talking about how special Big Brown is to me. Well, as he sits on the brink of history, I think he's even more special to the sport.

We all witnessed the triump and unfortuante tragedy at the Derby. And as I prepared for our ESPN telecasts at the Preakness, Eight Belles was on peoples minds about as much as Big Brown - as they should have been. But after Big Brown disposed of his competition with consummate ease, he displayed the brilliance and beauty that should remind us why we love this sport.

I grew up in this wonderful game.  For the last 30 years, I've seen a lot of great horses. But, I've never had the privilege of being so close to a champion like Big Brown. He's truly a special animal. He's a monster and he knows it!  He's in a class of his own.

In three weeks, he'll be facing another potental monster in the Japanese import Casino Drive. The chestnut winner of the Peter Pan looks like he could be anykind. Skeptics, just like they did about Big Brown before the Derby, are questioning his lack of experience. Only time will tell. But, even if he is Godzilla, he'll be facing King Kong.

It's going to be fun to watch what could be a classic showdown and Big Brown's race into history. It couldn't come at a better time!

Below is the video I shot at the Preakness. I hope you enjoy it!

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.