Big Brown in the infield saddling area
Big Brown in the infield saddling area
The horses for the Preakness get saddled in the turf course instead of the usual indoor paddock. Here is Big Brown circling on the grass after being saddled.
Before the race, a $50 million deal to stand Big Brown at stud at Three Chimneys was announced. Co-owner Michael Iavarone said, "I think the stud deal we made today might be able to pay for the tickets in the grandstand. I think we're going to be a thousand deep there.
Bringing it back to New York has, as I said, is just a dream come true. New York has been captured by the moment even leading up to the Preakness. Now I expect the momentum to only build from here. Kent, myself and Rick, Rich, all, from New York area, and it's going to be a fun three weeks."
First time by in the 2008 Preakness
Big Brown was never far off the pace the entire race, breaking 5th and moving up to 3rd position after a quarter mile.
Trainer Richard Dutrow said on Sunday morning, "He's bouncing around the shed row. His legs are good and tight. He ate everything. I'm sitting in a good spot right now. Every time he's run he's just amazed everyone. In the Kentucky Derby, post 20, five- wide around the first turn, four-wide around the far turn.
Yesterday, when Kent let him go, he opened up six lengths in five strides. We saw another little new part of him. He was down on the inside with horses in front of him, a horse outside of him. He was down on the inside. The way he just shuts down in his races, it seems like a mile and a half is not going to be a problem with him. He´s not an aggressive type horse where he wants to run off with the jock early on. He´ll do whatever Kent wants him to do at the time. He just falls into the race. That´s going to help him get a mile and a half."
Rounding the first turn
Here you can see Big Brown on the rail just behind the horse on the lead as the field rounds the clubhouse turn.
Monday after the Preakness, Trainer Richard Dutrow said, "I am feeling pretty confident about things. I can see that he is sharp. Yesterday he was bouncing and today the same thing. He is doing good and that makes everything so much easier. I haven't seen anybody that has made him run yet.
I have to believe that this race the other day was just an absolute super free race for the Belmont. He wasn't under any pressure at any time in the race. It looks like the jock asked him for run for maybe a sixteenth of a mile just to separate him from the field to put the race away. After that point he just glided to the wire. We were really hoping for a race like that and we got it. We can't complain about anything."
Big Brown heads to the test barn
After the winner's circle festivities, Big Brown heads back to the test barn. He did not wear the flowers or the Preakness winner's blanket.
Co-owner Richard Schiavo said, "I think the last two weeks have been pretty crazy. The next three weeks will be exciting. I know the phone, I think Mike and my phone has been going off. We have a lot of friends and family. Everyone will want to be a part of Big Brown and the Belmont Stakes.
So, you know, I think we'll just try to stay as calm and as humble as we can but we're all excited about the opportunity, our chances in the final leg."
Big Brown parades
Here is Big Brown with jockey Kent Desormeaux as they make their way down the stretch to get on the turf course and go to the winner's circle after the Preakness.
Jockey Kent Desormeaux said, "This is the best horse I've ever ridden. I said it. I've ridden all the horses across the country. (Casino Drive) is the only one that can even entertain Big Brown's stride. It's going to be exciting. He can run.
He's a nice horse. It's another quarter of a mile. You know, there's so many hurdles. Can't wait to find out what happens but that's a cold exacta. I think just this guy knows what he's doing. I'm happy to be his pilot. The important thing is the horse came home safe and we get to move into the next town. He's going back to the barn only used half the tank."
Big Brown returns from the test barn
Big Brown had to stay in the test barn for an hour after the Preakness before he could return to the stakes barn for his bath and rest.
Minority owner Paul Pompa said, "I'm very proud of the whole connection here. It's been a pleasure working with Mike (Iavarone). I have a lot of respect for Rick Dutrow. They made me a very fair deal. They took the risk. Anybody who has owned any racehorses knows that injuries are such a big part of the game, and these guys, they're not afraid.
I stayed in, and I'm happy for my partners in the trucking business, UPS. I mean, marketing-wise, it's been great. The employees are producing more and everybody's morale is at an all-time high. Tt's a win-win situation for everybody. "
The Preakness Trophies
The Woodlawn Vase is the permanent Preakness trophy and the most valuable trophy in sports, worth over $1 million. The silver trophy is 34 inches tall, weighs almost 30 pounds, and was created by Tiffany and Company in 1860. The winning owner, trainer, and jockey each get a smaller sterling silver replica to keep.
The Preakness winner's circle
The Preakness winner's circle is in the infield and a replica of the cupola from the old clubhouse that burned down in 1966 is used as the stand for the winning connections. The weather vane on the cupola is painted with the Preakness winner's colors each year.
Despite the windy conditions, the Navy Seal skydivers performed for the crowd on Preakness day and still all landed in the turf course on target. Here is one who carried a US flag with him landing.
The eight horse team of Clydesdales pulled the Budweiser wagon down the stretch on Preakness day. Each horse weighs 2000-2300 lbs. and is at least 6 feet tall at the shoulder.
The horses for the Preakness get saddled in the turf course instead of the usual indoor paddock. Here is Big Brown circling on the grass after being saddled.
Before the race, a $50 million deal to stand Big Brown at stud at Three Chimneys was announced. Co-owner Michael Iavarone said, "I think the stud deal we made today might be able to pay for the tickets in the grandstand. I think we're going to be a thousand deep there.
Bringing it back to New York has, as I said, is just a dream come true. New York has been captured by the moment even leading up to the Preakness. Now I expect the momentum to only build from here. Kent, myself and Rick, Rich, all, from New York area, and it's going to be a fun three weeks."
First time by in the 2008 Preakness
Big Brown was never far off the pace the entire race, breaking 5th and moving up to 3rd position after a quarter mile.
Trainer Richard Dutrow said on Sunday morning, "He's bouncing around the shed row. His legs are good and tight. He ate everything. I'm sitting in a good spot right now. Every time he's run he's just amazed everyone. In the Kentucky Derby, post 20, five- wide around the first turn, four-wide around the far turn.
Yesterday, when Kent let him go, he opened up six lengths in five strides. We saw another little new part of him. He was down on the inside with horses in front of him, a horse outside of him. He was down on the inside. The way he just shuts down in his races, it seems like a mile and a half is not going to be a problem with him. He´s not an aggressive type horse where he wants to run off with the jock early on. He´ll do whatever Kent wants him to do at the time. He just falls into the race. That´s going to help him get a mile and a half."
Rounding the first turn
Here you can see Big Brown on the rail just behind the horse on the lead as the field rounds the clubhouse turn.
Monday after the Preakness, Trainer Richard Dutrow said, "I am feeling pretty confident about things. I can see that he is sharp. Yesterday he was bouncing and today the same thing. He is doing good and that makes everything so much easier. I haven't seen anybody that has made him run yet.
I have to believe that this race the other day was just an absolute super free race for the Belmont. He wasn't under any pressure at any time in the race. It looks like the jock asked him for run for maybe a sixteenth of a mile just to separate him from the field to put the race away. After that point he just glided to the wire. We were really hoping for a race like that and we got it. We can't complain about anything."
Big Brown heads to the test barn
After the winner's circle festivities, Big Brown heads back to the test barn. He did not wear the flowers or the Preakness winner's blanket.
Co-owner Richard Schiavo said, "I think the last two weeks have been pretty crazy. The next three weeks will be exciting. I know the phone, I think Mike and my phone has been going off. We have a lot of friends and family. Everyone will want to be a part of Big Brown and the Belmont Stakes.
So, you know, I think we'll just try to stay as calm and as humble as we can but we're all excited about the opportunity, our chances in the final leg."
Big Brown parades
Here is Big Brown with jockey Kent Desormeaux as they make their way down the stretch to get on the turf course and go to the winner's circle after the Preakness.
Jockey Kent Desormeaux said, "This is the best horse I've ever ridden. I said it. I've ridden all the horses across the country. (Casino Drive) is the only one that can even entertain Big Brown's stride. It's going to be exciting. He can run.
He's a nice horse. It's another quarter of a mile. You know, there's so many hurdles. Can't wait to find out what happens but that's a cold exacta. I think just this guy knows what he's doing. I'm happy to be his pilot. The important thing is the horse came home safe and we get to move into the next town. He's going back to the barn only used half the tank."
Big Brown returns from the test barn
Big Brown had to stay in the test barn for an hour after the Preakness before he could return to the stakes barn for his bath and rest.
Minority owner Paul Pompa said, "I'm very proud of the whole connection here. It's been a pleasure working with Mike (Iavarone). I have a lot of respect for Rick Dutrow. They made me a very fair deal. They took the risk. Anybody who has owned any racehorses knows that injuries are such a big part of the game, and these guys, they're not afraid.
I stayed in, and I'm happy for my partners in the trucking business, UPS. I mean, marketing-wise, it's been great. The employees are producing more and everybody's morale is at an all-time high. Tt's a win-win situation for everybody. "
The Preakness Trophies
The Woodlawn Vase is the permanent Preakness trophy and the most valuable trophy in sports, worth over $1 million. The silver trophy is 34 inches tall, weighs almost 30 pounds, and was created by Tiffany and Company in 1860. The winning owner, trainer, and jockey each get a smaller sterling silver replica to keep.
The Preakness winner's circle
The Preakness winner's circle is in the infield and a replica of the cupola from the old clubhouse that burned down in 1966 is used as the stand for the winning connections. The weather vane on the cupola is painted with the Preakness winner's colors each year.
Despite the windy conditions, the Navy Seal skydivers performed for the crowd on Preakness day and still all landed in the turf course on target. Here is one who carried a US flag with him landing.
The eight horse team of Clydesdales pulled the Budweiser wagon down the stretch on Preakness day. Each horse weighs 2000-2300 lbs. and is at least 6 feet tall at the shoulder.
