What could deny Big Brown his place in history?

Published: June 7, 2008

Hoof injury: Only trainer Rick Dutrow knows how serious the injury is. A quarter crack in the left hoof is an injury that can be patched up, but it's also something that can linger and even cause an infection. Will Brown be in pain because Dutrow has said he won't give the horse the legal steroid winstrol today?

Arrogance: No, Brown is not arrogant, but Dutrow has not shied away from any camera in the last month. Has his attention not fully been on his horse but more about making his own name? Is Brown fully prepared?

Distance: The unknown factor. Many horses have looked great only to succumb to the track at Belmont. At a mile-and-a-half, it's more than a quarter-mile greater than both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes.

The field: Casino Drive is being brought in from Japan to try to spoil the party. He is still going to run despite a left hind hoof injury. Trainer Kazuo Fujisawa is considered the top trainer in Japan. Tulsa horse Denis of Cork placed third in the Derby and was purposely held out of the Preakness, so he would be 100 percent for the Belmont.

Positioning: Brown showed coming from the 20th post position was no problem at the Derby. He'll have to do it again today coming from the rail. Though positioning is not nearly as crucial because of the distance, his top competitors, Denis of Cork and Casino Drive, are in much better posts, positions No. 4 and No. 5, respectively.

By Robert Przybylo

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