History denied
The Post’s Ed Fountaine concludes his daily look at the 11 horses who won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness but lost the Belmont Stakes since Affirmed won racing’s most recent Triple Crown in 1978.
2008: Big Brown
Jockey Kent Desormeaux tries to control Big Brown after easing him in the 2008 Belmont.
Boundary — Mien, by Nureyev
Trainer: Rick Dutrow Jr. • Jockey: Kent Desormeaux
Owner: IEAH Stable and Paul Pompa Jr.
After Big Brown won his only start as a 2-year-old by 11 lengths, on turf at Saratoga at 14-1, IEAH — International Equine Acquisition Holdings Inc., headed by Long Island investor Michael Iavarone — bought a controlling interest in him for a reported $2.5 million. Then they sent him to Dutrow, the controversial Peck’s Bad Boy of racing, to train.
Over the winter in Florida, Big Brown was out of training for several weeks with quarter-cracks in his hooves that limited him to two starts before the Kentucky Derby: an allowance race that he won by 12 3Ž4 lengths, and a five-length romp in the Florida Derby.
l The first two jewels: In a spectacular performance as the 2-1 favorite, Big Brown dominated the Kentucky Derby by 43Ž4 lengths over the filly Eight Belles, who was euthanized when she broke down after the race. He was the first horse to win the Derby from post 20 in 80 years. Favored at 1-5 in the Preakness, Big Brown crushed them by 51Ž4 lengths.
l Why he lost the Belmont: Seemingly unsinkable at 1-5, Big Brown was engulfed by a “Perfect Storm” of trouble. Was it the quarter-crack he suffered after the Preakness? Being taken off steroids? Acting up in the detention barn? The heat and humidity? His bad break from the gate? The rear shoe that came loose in the race? A poor ride by Desormeaux? We’ll never know the real reason why Big Brown was eased on the far turn in the worst performance ever by a horse going for the Triple Crown.
l The winner: Da’ Tara, ridden by Alan Garcia, won just one race before the Belmont and none after. His trainer, Nick Zito, stopped Smarty Jones’ Triple Crown bid in 2004 with Birdstone.
RESULT:
1. Da’ Tara, 1st by 51Ž2 lengths, paid $79
2. Denis of Cork, 2nd by 23Ž4 lengths at 7-1
3. Dead Heat between Anak Nakal and Ready’s Echo
