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Triple Crown Betting: Preakness next up for all-conquering Brown, can he secure leg two of the elusive trio?

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Nick Shiambouros rounds up the action from the last week of American horseracing and looks ahead to the betting this weekend

Last Saturday Big Brown put up one of the most remarkable efforts I have seen in a very long time when he demolished the field in the 134th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

It was a day of very mixed emotions as the second-placed filly Eight Belles sadly had to be euthanised almost in front of the packed grandstand. In what can only be described as a freak incident she broke both her ankles rounding the clubhouse bend and the decision to put her down was appropriate. But it was very upsetting to everyone on course and the millions that tuned in to see this great race on television.

The fatal injury to Eight Belles overshadowed a very brave effort in finishing second to Big Brown with outsider Denis Of Cork three-and-a-half lengths back in third. Everyone I have spoken to who was on course has assured me that the track was in no way to blame for what happened to the filly. In my opinion I would have to agree, and she was a filly who will be remembered for her courage and heart.

The very impressive winner was drawn on the outside in stall 20 but managed to cross over and stalked the pace rounding the final turn and with one turn of electrifying speed swept in to the lead in the lane and won going away. Trainer Richard Dutrow was naturally very pleased but this victory was not a big surprise to him. I can honestly say I have never heard of a more confident trainer going in to a race of this magnitude.

Dutrow has fought his personal demons in the past but he is in a very happy place right now. He is a man who wears his heart on his sleeve and he deserves this victory as does his jockey Kent Desormeaux who was winning his third Derby.

The Preakness is next for this superstar and I really think that there is a chance that we may see a Triple Crown winner this year. In just over two weeks Big Brown will line up in the Preakness at Pimlico and I do not think he will face more that ten rivals at the most. It is almost certain that he will be the shortest priced favourite since Fusaichi Pegasus in 2000. I was on hand for that race in 2000 and he was beaten at 1/5 after wining the Derby on the bridle.

As for Pyro he finished in eighth place after being hampered at the start but he never would have troubled the easy winner. Colonel John finished sixth after having every chance. The horse that I would rate as a danger to Big Brown in the Belmont should he win the Preakness is Denis Of Cork who came from a mile back to finish third and will come in to the race a fresh horse as connections are wisely skipping the Preakness.

Now on to this week's action, again from Belmont Park, where the feature race is the Grade 2 Peter Pan Stakes run over nine furlongs. I like the look of Golden Spikes in this race after his very good effort behind Recapturethglory in the Illinois Derby. The selection should go off at around [3.5] in this competitive event. Tomcito should find this company easier after chasing horses like Big Brown at Gulfstream in the Florida Derby and I do not think that he handled the Polytrack surface at Keenland last time out when he finished unplaced behind Behindatthebar.

Over on the west coast on Saturday, Champs Elysees should be hard to beat in the Jim Murray Memorial Handicap run over a mile-and-a-half on the turf. This beautifully bred filly is worth her weight in gold and I will be backing her in this contest. She should be around [2.5] on the exchange.

With that amazing performance by Big Brown, who was named after the company UPS, we can now look forward to the Preakness and possibly a Triple Crown attempt in the Belmont Stakes in June by this unbeaten colt.

Horseracing is about hopes and dreams and I have been hoping and dreaming a long time for a Triple Crown winner. Maybe this is the year that my dream comes true.