ELMONT, N.Y. — Big Brown is No. 1 again before he even stampedes out of the gate at the Belmont Stakes.
Big Brown will take his shot at Triple Crown history from the inside, drawing the No. 1 post for Saturday’s race. The post could be a lucky one for an undefeated colt that really doesn’t need any extra edge: It’s produced the most Belmont winners (23) since 1905.
Big Brown was installed as the early 2-5 favorite against nine rivals Wednesday for the 1 1/2-mile race.
Big Brown won the Kentucky Derby from the outside and he dominated the Preakness starting in the middle of the pack. Now, the colt has a shot at winning from the rail. Jockey Kent Desormeaux, whose flawless handling of the horse has Big Brown in position for the first Triple Crown in 30 years, said the inside was a better spot.
“Absolutely, because it’s an easier trip,” he said. “I would be able to just guide and glide.”
Surprise, surprise. Trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. said Big Brown would win no matter the post position. Not even the quarter crack in his left front hoof, set to be patched Friday, can shake the trainer’s confidence.
“I just can’t see a post position getting him beat,” Dutrow said. “As long as we break good, I can see us getting a good trip. There is not a lot of speed in the race. If we need our horse early on, he’ll be there for us.”
Hidetoshi Yamamoto, owner of 7-2 second choice Casino Drive, dismissed all of Dutrow’s boasts, saying: “No one wins with chatter. No one wins with a big mouth.”
