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US Racing: Big Brown the one to beat, but it's no one horse race

US Racing RSS / / 23 May 2008 /

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Nick Shiambouros tells us why assuming Big Brown will stroll to victory at Belmont is doing a disservice to some of the other fine competitors.

Big Brown annihilated the field in The Preakness Stakes last Saturday, setting up one of the most anticipated races of all time. He will now attempt to win the Triple Crown for the first time in the last thirty years at Belmont Park on the 7th June. If Big Brown wins The Belmont the will be the first unbeaten winner since the great Seattle Slew in 1977.

Big Brown showed his dexterity in The Preakness as he sat in behind his rivals early on before relaxing beautifully for Jockey Kent Desormeaux. He moved effortlessly in to the lead at the top of the lane and went clear but was geared down to win by five and a quarter lengths from Macho Again and Icabad Crane in third. This performance was truly breathtaking and I must say at this moment in time he has the potential to be one of the best horses ever seen on a racetrack.

His charismatic trainer had plenty to say about the colt's performance after the race and quipped, "He just keeps on getting better. He should have plenty left off this race to win the Belmont." I would have to say that based on what I have seen so far that this son of Boundary has a great chance to win the Belmont. It won't be easy though; he will face severe opposition from a fresh Denis Of Cork who finished like a rocket in the Kentucky Derby before wisely skipping this race, as well as Casino Drive who won the Peter Pan in brilliant fashion for Japan at Belmont on the 10th of May.

Casino Drive, the twice raced son of Mineshaft, is out of the mare Better Than Honour who is the dame of the last two winners of The Belmont Stakes (Jazil and Rags To Riches). The stage is set for a classic East v West showdown and is exactly what racing needs right now.

Before the Belmont though we have some very good racing on offer at Belmont Park this weekend in the shape of The Sheapshead Bay Handicap for filly and mares run on the turf over one mile and three eights. I like the look of J'Ray in this race who comes in to this Grade 2 event with a very game effort behind Mauralakana who also lines up in this warm contest.J'Ray should be a fair price on the day and I will be hoping to back her at around [4.5] for the win.

On Memorial Day Monday I really think that Commentator will be very hard to beat in The Metropolitan Mile. Trainer Nick Zito should have the selection ready to claim this great Grade 1 event. Given the fact that he faces horses like Divine Park and First Defence he should go off at around [2.5] on Monday.

This is truly a great time to be alive and savour the mouth-watering thought of a possible Triple Crown winner. A crowd of over 120,000 is expected for The Belmont Stakes and I made the decision to attend this historic race at the top of the lane at Pimlico last week before Kent Desormeaux let Big Brown loose. Sometimes you just have to be there and June 7th 2008 is one of those times. There is nothing like the atmosphere at a Triple Crown attempt which I have savoured a couple of times before but what is it like to witness a Triple Crown winner ?.Hopefully I will let you know in a couple of weeks.

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