The eyes of the racing word will shift to Pimlico Race
Course as the Triple Crown players set their sights on Baltimore for the 133rd
running of the Preakness S. (G1) on May 17. One morning after BIG BROWN
(Boundary) dominated his 19 rivals in the Kentucky Derby (G1) by 4 3/4 lengths,
trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. informed Maryland Jockey Club officials that the bay
colt is Baltimore-bound for the middle jewel.
Owned by IEAH Stables and Paul Pompa Jr., Big Brown had an easy morning at
Barn 22 following his victory in the Run for the Roses. Dutrow said Big Brown
would remain at Churchill Downs for a few days before he ships to Pimlico.
“I like our chances because we have the best horse,” said Dutrow, who was
born in Hagerstown, Maryland, and attended Atholton High School in Howard
County, Maryland. “I am going to see a bunch of friends but I am going there with a horse
that can win the race.”
However, despite the apparent ease of Big Brown’s romp over the ill-fated
filly Eight Belles (Unbridled’s Song) and 18 other rivals, Dutrow continued to
express concerns over the short two-week gap between the Kentucky Derby and the
Preakness.
“It’s very difficult; I’m kind of worried about it,” Dutrow said. “When the
horse goes into the race the right way, good timing and all, I don’t see anyone
beating him. But now it’s not happening. You’ve got to come right back off that
huge, huge race. I know it looks like he’s the best horse, but Pimlico’s a
different game. It’s just two weeks and the turns are so tight — that might be
to our advantage. But I don’t like two weeks, but it doesn’t matter. He came out
of the race good and we’re going to hope, and we’re going to go and see.”
Big Brown overcame considerable historical obstacles to win the 134th
Kentucky Derby. He became the first horse since the filly Regret in 1915 to win
the race off only three career starts, and he became just the second horse in
the history of the race to win after breaking from post position 20. As he
continues his bid for the Triple Crown in the 1 3/16-mile Preakness, Big Brown
and Dutrow will be attempting to accomplish something only 11 other
three-year-olds have accomplished — and be the first to complete the three-race
sweep in three decades. Affirmed was the most recent Triple Crown winner when he
completed the sweep in 1978.
Dutrow said he always walks his horses three days after a race before they
return to the track for a jog. He anticipates a light training schedule for Big
Brown leading up to the Preakness.
“I don’t believe that I’ll breeze the horse between races,” he said. “I might
do a little blowout at Pimlico a day or two, or even the day he’s in. I’ll just
see. The weather’s got a lot to do with it and he’s got a lot to do with it.
We’ll just glide along until it’s time we figure we have to do something.”
With his Kentucky Derby victory, Big Brown has amassed $2,114,500 in
earnings. His four career races have been won by a collective margin of 33 3/4
lengths, and he will be looking to become the seventh Derby winner to reach the
finish line first at historic Old Hilltop from the past 12 runnings.
Big Brown’s Kentucky Derby victory was so emphatic that none of his Derby
rivals are likely to travel to Pimlico for another shot at the colt. The only
Derby finisher that might come back to challenge the winner is RECAPTURETHEGLORY
(Cherokee Run), who finished fifth despite trouble in the paddock.
“He left a little feed in the tub and he is still keyed up from the race,”
trainer and co-owner Louie Roussel III said. “I will see how he is tomorrow.”
Recapturetheglory made his stakes debut in the April 5 Illinois Derby (G2),
capturing that 1 1/8-mile test by four front-running lengths to earn his spot in
the Derby starting gate. Both Roussel and the colt’s other owner, Ronnie
Lamarque, are inclined to give their bay charge some time off.
“My vote would be to give him 30 days off,” Lamarque said. “He has had two
tough races and he had to run in the first one to get the earnings to run here.
It is really tough. But I am a partner and I get a vote.”
So, the question was put to the other man with a vote: Roussel.
“My vote would be to say what a wonderful owner I have in Ronnie Lamarque and
he understands the game,” Roussel said. “It has been two tough races and most
owners would want to continue on with the Triple Crown to the Preakness and
Belmont.
“I’m going to give him (Recapturetheglory) a little bit more time. I am going
back to the hotel and my wife and I are going to pack up the car and tomorrow
either drive to New Orleans and take two weeks off with her, or I will be going
to Baltimore. So, I guess the answer is you will have to see me in the morning.
“Basically I would have to say I am leaning toward going along with Ronnie
and giving this horse 30 to 45 days off … but, I reserve the right to change my
mind. It would be a big advantage if we didn’t have to come out of the 18 hole.
If we get the four, or two or have a rail trip in Baltimore, it would be a big
advantage for us.”
Eight new shooters are possible for the Preakness: BEHINDATTHEBAR (Forest
Wildcat), EL GATO MALO (El Corredor), GIANT MOON (Giant’s Causeway), HARLEM
ROCKER (Macho Uno), KENTUCKY BEAR (Mr. Greeley), STEVIL (Maria’s Mon), TRES
BORRACHOS (Ecton Park) and YANKEE BRAVO (Yankee Gentleman).
The Preakness is limited to 14 starters. Thirteen of the last 16 years have
produced double-digit starters.