Big Brown Going For The Triple Crown

by Bodog Sportsbook | May 29 2008

Big Brown's Quest For The Triple Crown

The “Run for the Carnations” is just around the corner and it's causing quite the stir. Big Brown won the Kentucky Derby, swept up the Preakness Stakes, and is now on his way to the Belmont Stakes, or as some call it, the “Test of the Champion.” Let's hope he doesn’t have stage fright because the entire world will be watching him on June 7 for the 140th running of the Belmont Stakes. Another victory for Big Brown will cement his place in history as the first Triple Crown Winner in 30 years. Big Brown is racing for legendary status.

Test of the Champion

Before you jump on the Big Brown Bandwagon, there are some contenders that would love to spoil the Big Brown party. Let's take a look at the 2008 Belmont Stakes contenders which we’ve listed below in no particular order…

Belmont Stakes Contenders

Anak Nakal
Trainer: Nick Zito
Finishing seventh in the Kentucky Derby and sitting out for the Preakness Stakes, Anak Nakal is trying once more in case third time really is the charm. Since his win at the Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill Downs in November, he hasn’t managed to place in the top five of any of the races he’s run. His sire, Victory Gallop, won the Belmont 10 years ago. Maybe Anak Nakal will celebrate the anniversary by winning.

Behindatthebar  
Trainer: Todd Pletcher
Behindatthebar missed the Kentucky Derby in order to prepare for Preakness, but then had to skip Preakness due to a bruised foot. This could mean two things for Behindatthebar. Either he’ll be slow after taking it easy to heal his injury, or he’ll get a rush from weeks of pent-up energy after not being able to race.

Big Brown
Trainer: Richard Dutrow Jr.
Big Brown isn’t just making history as the juggernaut of the horse racing world; if he wins Belmont, he’ll also be the first Triple Crown champ to have done so in 30 years. His agility left many speechless after the Preakness and now the only thing left to ask is whether or not he’ll be able to keep up the momentum he’s been running with. 

Casino Drive
Trainer: Kazuo Fujisawa
It’s being argued that if anyone were to take Big Brown down, it’ll be Casino Drive. He doesn’t have many races under his harness but the experience he’s had is worth mentioning. He won his first race in Japan by 11 ½ lengths. He won the Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont by 5 ¾ lengths. And if genes count for something, then you should take note that he’s the brother of the last two Belmont Stakes winners.

Denis of Cork 
Trainer: David Carroll
Denis of Cork was a little rusty going into the Kentucky Derby but nonetheless came out in third place. He had won three races beforehand and placed fifth at the Illinois Derby. At the Kentucky Derby, he managed to get from last place to third. It seems as though he knows how to maintain a winning streak and get back up if he falters. Looks like he might prove to be another one of Big Brown’s competitors.


El Gato Malo  
Trainer: Craig Dollase
Started off as an early favorite for the Kentucky Derby but then came up short on graded earnings after placing second in the Sham Stakes and fifth in the Santa Anita Derby. El Gato Malo thus missed the Kentucky and the Preakness and is debuting in the third leg of the 2008 Triple Crown.

Icabad Crane
Trainer: Graham Motion
At the Preakness Stakes, this colt was bringing up the back before racing hard to finish in third. He is continuously improving with the help of a great trainer and jockey, but when dethroning Big Brown is at stake, he’s going to need all that and then some. Hopefully June 7 might be the day he chooses to be a chip off the old block. His father, Jump Start, won the Belmont Stakes in 1992.

Macho Again  
Trainer: Dallas Stewart
Placing second at the Preakness Stakes might be the closest Macho Again will ever get to beating Big Brown. Macho Again will need to focus on speed and agility to keep up with Big Brown.

Tale of Ekati  
Trainer: Barclay Tagg
Racing in spurts during the Kentucky Derby, Tale of Ekati managed to finish fourth. He’s swift and doesn’t give up, two key traits needed during the “Test of the Champion.”

Tomcito  
Trainer: Dante Zanelli
To Tomcito’s advantage, he’s already won a 1.5 mile distance this year. To his disadvantage, he’s currently recuperating from minor throat surgery. Tomcito and his trainers are taking it day by day to see if he’ll be able to race at Belmont. Like El Gato Malo, short earnings after placing third in the Florida Derby and seventh at the Peter Pan Stakes kept Tomcito from qualifying at the Kentucky Derby.

Will there be a huge Big Brown upset at the 2008 Belmont Stakes at the hands of another Belmont Stakes contender? Or will Big Brown take the Triple Crown Title and go down in history? The last leg of the race will truly be the “Test of the Champion.” Check out the Belmont Stakes schedule and bet on the 2008 Belmont Stakes at the Bodog Racebook.