Big Brown in the Belmont?

[CBedo]

Anyone think that this year's Triple Crown trail might look something like the Funny Cide / Empire Maker set of races? Empire Maker, who was very lightly raced, was the big favorite, failed in the Derby, took off the Preakness and then won the Belmont (keying a good exacta for me to Ten Most Wanted if I remember correctly).

Just a thought.

[The WindfallAngler]

Not even sure BB can get the 10 furlong trip (if indeed he is favored).

[OTM Al]

Not even sure he is capable of running that many races in a row without injury.

[Marshall Bennett]

If he can overcome the #20 post and win the derby , he'll have my vote .

[Robert Fischer]

probably will not run the Belmont unless he wins the first two.

[CBedo]

The reason I remember the Empire Maker Belmont so vividly was that I took about ten people to a restaurant/OTB for a Belmont Party, most of whom had never bet on a horse race, including my girlfriend. Since she liked the way he looked (or something almost as scientific), she made her first bet ever, $2 across the board, on Ten Most Wanted.

By my way of thinking, the Ten Most Wanted over Empire Maker exacta was underlayed, while the reverse was an overlay. Since I was in love with Empire Maker and wanted to take a staunch stand against Funny Cide, I had the exacta for over $100--one way!

As they were coming down the stretch, it appeared that Ten Most Wanted was going to get by Empire Maker, and my girlfriend was going crazy--going to cash her first bet ever. It's the last time I recall really screaming at the monitors and at her--"NO! NO! We want it this way! Don't pass him! We want it this way!"

She still laughs at me even now. It was great for the memory.....and oh yeah, the money too!

[CBedo]

I doubt if he loses if they would run BB in the Preakness. The question is whether they would bring him back for the Belmont. More than likely not, but maybe.

[ny0707ny]

The reason I remember the Empire Maker Belmont so vividly was that I took about ten people to a restaurant/OTB for a Belmont Party, most of whom had never bet on a horse race, including my girlfriend. Since she liked the way he looked (or something almost as scientific), she made her first bet ever, $2 across the board, on Ten Most Wanted.

By my way of thinking, the Ten Most Wanted over Empire Maker exacta was underlayed, while the reverse was an overlay. Since I was in love with Empire Maker and wanted to take a staunch stand against Funny Cide, I had the exacta for over $100--one way!

As they were coming down the stretch, it appeared that Ten Most Wanted was going to get by Empire Maker, and my girlfriend was going crazy--going to cash her first bet ever. It's the last time I recall really screaming at the monitors and at her--"NO! NO! We want it this way! Don't pass him! We want it this way!"

She still laughs at me even now. It was great for the memory.....and oh yeah, the money too!

I actually had Empire Maker to win the Derby that year. I had him with Funny Cide and Peace Rules in a triple I had played. All three came in the money but I had the wrong order. I had Empire Maker on top.

I like Country Star for tomorrow in the Oaks. She is from Empire Maker. Her first dirt race though. Proud Spell is also very good.

I think we will hear a lot from Colonel John after the Derby. He looks like the horse with the most chance of developing into something out of the field we now have.