Big Brown bolts to Florida victory
HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Big Brown is a breathtaking racehorse, no doubt about it. And after his latest romp, there’s no doubt he’s a leading contender for the Kentucky Derby.
The blossoming 3-year-old colt muscled his way to the lead from the far outside post and cruised to a 5-length victory over Smooth Air in the $1 million Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park on Saturday.
“He’s a major talent, possibly the best horse I’ve ever ridden,” winning rider Kent Desormeaux said. “I’d have to say he’s my Derby horse.”
And Rick Dutrow’s, too.
“With a horse like that, you just try to stay out of his way,” Dutrow said of what would be his first Derby starter. “With all his talent all I have to do is let him run.”
Big Brown won his first two races by a combined 24 lengths, and now has a dominating victory over several talented 3-year-olds, some of whom could end up in the Derby on May 3 as well.
At this point, Dutrow doesn’t care who shows up at Churchill Downs. He believes he has the best horse. When Big Brown broke quickly and took the lead going into the first turn, Dutrow knew it was all over.
“I loved it,” he said. “I knew the horses in this race could not catch him. I am not knocking them in any kind of way except that Big Brown is much better then these horses today.”
Big Brown won his first start by 111‚Ñ4 lengths on the grass at Saratoga and his second race by 123‚Ñ4 lengths on the dirt at Gulfstream.
Breaking from the outside post in a 12-horse field, Big Brown was hustled to the lead by Desormeaux and wouldn’t give it up. The colt covered the 11‚Ñ8 miles in a fast time of 1:48.16 and became the first horse to win at that distance from the No. 12 post during this race meet.
Smooth Air likely is headed to the Kentucky Derby, too, along with Tomcito, who finished third in his U.S. and 3-year-old debut.
Hey Byrn was fourth, followed by Cool Gator, Majestic Warrior, Nistle’s Crunch, Face the Cat, Da’ Tara, Fierce Wind, Elysium Fields and B B Frank.