Pack your bags, it's on to New York!

photo: Barbara Livingston/BloodHorse

Well we all found out what 'Brown' could do for us.
Crush 11 other rivals in one of the best blow-out wins I have probably ever seen.
Rock on!

The undefeated Big Brown went off at 1-5 as a prohibitive favorite and convincingly won the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico race course in Baltimore yesterday in a tour-de-force performance that has people using his name in the same sentence as 'Affirmed', 'Seattle Slew' and naturally, 'Secretariat'...

There was really no question whatsoever. He just absolutely soared like an eagle once Kent Desormaeux pushed the button. He broke away from the rest of the field like he was on fire. It was an awe-inspiring win. And they saved a bit for the Belmont in three weeks - the whip was never used, and there was very little urging at all. He just glided over the wire.

On another note, no horses were injured during the Preakness or any of the other races that day. A big sigh of relief all around.
Though there were protesters from PETA outside the track, ringing bells in memory of Eight Belles - with their signs blaming horseracing itself for her tragic breakdown at the KY Derby.
While no one (least of all me) wants to see these tragedies occur, PETA in general has no idea what they are talking about most of the time. They know nothing about the racing industry or how well these thoroughbreds are actually cared for. They just jump on their soapbox without the correct information and yodel their crap until they find a new cause.

There are, however, changes on the way in the horseracing industry that are well overdue. At least Eight Belles did not die in vain - perhaps issues can be resolved that weren't being looked at close enough. The industry has to open its eyes and realize that the horses and their welfare is the most important part of the game, and I think the recent string of high-profile breakdowns has got them thinking, and that is what is needed.

Anyhoo - it's on the the Belmont Stakes (June 7 at Belmont Park in New York) for a chance to make history. Will Big Brown be only the 12th Triple Crown winner in history? Chances look very, VERY good. We can only hope. It's what racing needs right now. The last winner was Affirmed way back in 1978! it's time!

The next three weeks ought to be full of well-deserved hype. I love it.

I'm so psyched I could pee my pants. But I won't.

Thanks for the show, Brownie.