The Post Position Draw and Big Brown and the Triple Crown

One day and counting to the Belmont Stakes and possibly sports history. At this point only a hermit in a cave doesn’t know that Big Brown is trying to become the 12th horse to win the elusive triple crown.

Big Brown works Friday morning 

 

So I had some random thoughts on this, but first let me report on the post position draw. I had the opportunity to go to the press breakfast/post position draw on Wednesday morning. I brought along my assistant Brian Esola, a young man with a very good eye, who will be shooting the races with me on Saturday. I brought him to the press conference, his first, going on the that two are more effective working the room, getting different shots, plus I figured it was something he would enjoy.

Belmont fed us well while we waited for the big guns to show up to get the show started. The eggs were good, and I have to be in the mood to eat eggs. I wasn’t in the mood, but they were good none the less.

Nobutaka Tada, manager of Hidetoshi Yamamoto's racing stable (Casino Drive)

They also gave us a little media guide, with information on all the horses who would be entered into the Belmont Stakes. Big Brown and Casino Drive each had 1 1/3 pages, showing their importance in the scheme of things. Denis of Cork, the third favorite, had a 1 2/3 of a page, not because he was more important, but because of Robby Albarado’s bio. The rest of the entries had a page each, except for Guadalcanal, who had no pages.

Wait a minute! Gaudal-who?

Guadalcanal. Guadal-who? Guadalcanal. Shocked the hell out of everyone else too. So much so that he wasn’t printed up n the media guide.

His trainer, Frank Seitz, in what must have a moment of temporary insanity, decided to enter this maiden at the last minute, and also being the owner, put up $20,000 to run him. Good thing he’s also the owner, because it would be a hard sell to push for a maiden to run, especially against Big Brown. I guess he was thinking of Nolan’s Cat, the maiden who a few years ago, ran third in the Belmont. Hopefully this horse won’t get heat stoke on Saturday.

Tom Durkin, the track announcer, was the Master of Ceremonies, and trying to keep things moving along, and interesting. Now it’s not terribly exciting to watch one guy shaking a bottle drawing out little numbered balls and announcing the horses names, nor watching the young lady, someone’s daughter in NYRA I’m sure, putting up the name tags. It was interesting watching Rick Dutrow’s face when he realized he got the 1 hole. He was not happy with it, regardless of what he said for the benefit of the press.

Rick Dutrow, trainer of Big Brown

Had the chance to speak with Hank Goldberg, of ESPN. Asked him if he thought Big Brown could be beat. He said no, that these were second rate horses, not a particularly good bunch. He also thought Casino Drive would be over bet, and wasn’t going to use him at all in his exotics. I found Hank’s lack of respect, at least gambling wise, for Casino Drive interesting. But then this is the same guy who like Hey Byrne.

I had to agree with Hank regarding these other horses, although I think Denis of Cork will put in a good run in this race, and should be on the board. I really would like to see BB win the Triple Crown. Solely because of the horse, I keep telling myself it’s about the horse, not the connections. But I can understand why there are those rooting against the connections for various reasons.

There are those who don’t like investment banker types, and finds IEAH’s way of doing horse business repulsive. And wish for them to lose. Considering that they have a stud deal for at least $60 million, I’d say they are winners either way.

There are those who think Dutrow is a major sleaze, a big time juicer and fuck up, with 33 pages of violations on his “wrap sheet” going back to 1976, Dutrow rap sheet.pdf , and that it is just wrong for him to win, as he sends the wrong message.

What ever you’re opinion is, I would like Big Brown to win the Triple Crown. My reason's were given in my previous entry.

Triple Crown trophy