KENTUCKY Derby winner Big Brown is on course to become the first winner of the US Triple Crown for 30 years after a spectacular victory in the Preakness Stakes on Saturday.
Sent off the shortest-priced favourite in the 133-year history of the Pimlico Classic, Big Brown looked as if he should have been 1-20 rather than 1-5 as he annihilated his rivals in the $1milion event.
The Rick Dutrow-trained colt ?reportedly syndicated for $50 million to stand at stud at Three Chimneys - produced an astonishing performance to score by five and a quarter lengths over Macho Again, with Icabad Crane third.
Settled in third a couple of lengths off the front-running Gayego,the son of Boundary looked murderously intimidating as he cruised up three wide on the home turn.
His audaciously confident jockey Kent Desormeaux, who described it as an 弌rmchair ride? was already looking between his legs for potential dangers at this stage. They were none. Big Brown went from third to first in the blink of eye. Without any undue pressure from the saddle, he drew away to slam his rivals in a totally authoritative performance.
All eyes are now on the Belmont Stakes on June 7, when Big Brown will attempt to become the first Triple Crown winner in 30 years since Affirmed in 1978 and the 12th altogether.
Ten horses have gone to the New York track for the 騻est of a Champion' since then and failed.
㜁e got three weeks to the big banana,?said an excited Dutrow. 𠐓ut he just keeps on getting better ?he's showing everybody he is special. I just knew he had it won down the backside. It was beautiful.?
Dutrow was noticeably less bullish ahead of the Preakness compared to his confidence two weeks previously at Churchill Downs.
𨧻 guess I was nervous, I was scared with the two weeks, stuff like that,?he said. 孏his horse has overcome everything.?/td>
