The eyes of Thoroughbred racing fans and officials will likely be turning to the east – way to the east – as the 2009 Triple Crown season opens. The reason? Two of 2008’s major 2-year-old winners – Breeders’ Cup Juvenile champion Midshipman and double New York winner Vineyard Haven – will be preparing...

By Ray Paulick In the nine hours of Breeders’ Cup telecasts last Friday and Saturday, the strangest segment by far came during a brief interview between comedic sportscaster Kenny Mayne and Michael Iavarone, president of the IEAH stable that owns a majority of Big Brown, when Iavarone said he and...

Photos are now being posted at ESPN showing that Big Brown, the 3-year-old son of Boundary that took a run at the Triple Crown earlier this year, may have been running with a loose shoe during the Belmont. http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/gallery/enlargePhoto?id=3457690&story=3456907 Rumor of the photos...

Denis of Cork would be the horse to pull the upset, but the Triple Crown drought will end....( read more )

Post positions were drawn today for the 140th running of the Belmont Stakes on Saturday. As we all know, the big story is Big Brown’s quest for the Triple Crown. Nine other horses will contend with the super-colt as he tries to make history as just the 12th horse ever to win the Triple Crown. ...

If Big Brown is said to be afflicted by a “slight” quarter crack on the inside of the left-fore hoof, it is reasonable to assume that his condition is more serious than his people acknowledge in public. Nothing is more dependable at the racetrack than a high level of cynicism that begins with the universal...

If he was a study in brash confidence before the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, Rick Dutrow, may be making room in his home already for the Belmont Stakes trophy he expects Big Brown to earn along with the first Triple Crown in 30 years. “Our horse is doing so well right now, I can’t imagine him being...

Big Brown seems to be on his way to our first Triple Crown in 30 years. However, it is by no means a sure thing....( read more )

Shortly after Big Brown brought the house down at Pimlico on Saturday a one-work email from a friend arrived. It said: Wow! It was most assuredly a performance rich in the wow factor and Big Brown is three weeks and 12 furlongs from the immortality that accompanies a Triple Crown. He is also three week...