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Horse Sense
Posted Jun 10th 2008 8:18AM by Ben Greenman
Big Brown was a sure thing for the Belmont, except that he never broke out of the pack, was pulled up by his jockey, and finished last. Almost immediately, conspiracy theories started to circulate: that Big Brown's injury was far worse than suspected, that criminal presences forced the horse to throw the race. Bob Mieszerski of the Los Angeles Times points out the obvious: that maybe Big Brown wasn't good enough when it counted. Perhaps health issues contributed. Perhaps the weather was too hot and humid. It's disappointing to come up short in what could have been a Triple Crown year, and it will hurt the already-ailing sport of horse racing. But does anyone really think that there is some mysterious, nefarious explanation for the way the race turned out?
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Mo Rocca appears on a bunch of shows, including CBS News Sunday Morning (with the indescribably wonderful Charles Osgood), The Tonight Show on NBC, and NPR's Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! He's a sometime judge on Iron Chef and was featured on Telemundo's Amore Descarado. Last year he starred on Broadway in the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. His expose "All the President's Pets" was published by Crown in 2004.
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. Working in the security industry for 18 years, I have had my share of investigative experience. In every case of suspected crime we say, "Follow the money." It seems to me that 'Big Brown' was trying to do something that hadn't been done in quite some time. Further, it seems that of all horses in racing today, 'Big Brown' potentially could've done it. Thirdly, no doubt a lot of people would've bet on 'Big Brown's' success meaning the someone stood to lose a LOT of money should he have won. Lastly, some persons no doubt bet the other way that is against the trend and they would have stood to gain much by 'Big Brown's' failure. This sounds like a LOT of suspects but not really. Most people don't bet enough money to make the risk of trying to fix a horse race worthwhile. Also, how many people have the money to make such a bet, pay off the 'right' and the moral composition to commit such a crime? Finally, such a person would need access to the 'right' people. If you or I tried to bribe or threaten a jockey or trainer, we'd be arrested. But, among those who frequent the horse racing circles, there are some unsavory types. With so much money at stake, it becomes easy to see that anyone of them could be a suspect. Any conspiracy though is only as starong as its weakest link. A good investigation of the parties involved would reveal the crime and the culprits--if there was one.
Keith J. Mohrhoff at 9:54AM on Jun 10th 2008
2. Big Brown was taken off steriods one week before the Belmont to prove he could win it without steriods. Big mistake! And, a costly one.
I'm sure the other horses all continued their regular stuff.
Jan at 11:16AM on Jun 10th 2008
3. Really, where is all this going? I applaud Kent (the jockey) for pulling BB up when he asked and didn't receive. In this fast industry where horses are ridden too hard and too young, for humans to make money off of them it goes without saying humans want someone to blame. And if something happened to the horse from pushing him to run? They would blame who? Damned if you do Kent and damned if you don't.
How 'bout if Little League or Mighty Might coaches push toddlers and preschoolers to win? Wouldn't there be a huge commotion? Same principle, except humans call horses "dumb animals".
The horse was asked nicely for the advance. When it wasn't given, the jockey understood and conceded to the equine. I wouldn't have pulled him completely, but maybe the horse knows best?
Nay at 3:23PM on Jun 10th 2008
4. i don't care, i'll still go to horse races because it's the only place where i can say "HUZZAH!" and no one looks at me wierd.
hannah at 4:50PM on Jun 10th 2008
5. Big brown was just rank on Saturday. After he broke from the gate he ran up into yhe rear of the horse in front of him tossed his head, the race was pretty much over for him then. This years three year old colts are not that good, mediocre at best. The real talent this year is among the fillies and mares. I hope Big Brown doesn't turn out to be a fifty million dollar mistake for his syndicate.
Deb at 7:55AM on Jun 16th 2008
6.
He will make a fine stew.
mac at 8:28PM on Jun 10th 2008
7. Jan, He hadn't had a steroid shot (which IS legal) for nearly two months.
That being said ... Big Brown came into the paddock obviously 'off'. Many horses have breathing problems running a mile and a half in 90+ degree/60% humidity on a smoggy NY day.
BB wanted to move up on the leader from the inside nearing the clubhouse turn - not his usual style, Desormeaux moved him to the outside anyway.
The leader's jockey stopped pushing his mount ... allowing BB to run up his horse's backside. This caused BB obvious distress.
Big Brown and Kent Desormeaux were NOT working as a team; as they had in the Derby and the Preakness. I think Desormeaux should have trusted Big Brown ... it worked before!
As far as breeding is concerned; the sport has gotten away from breeding for both speed and stamina. A horse has to have stamina to win all three races in the Triple Crown. The speed alone means little when you are talking about three tough races in a five week timespan.
Rochelle at 2:10AM on Jun 11th 2008
8. Too bad Big Brown can't speak up for himself. He's a great horse with a big heart and I for one hope he has a long, healthy and happy life.
Maggieawalker at 10:26AM on Jun 11th 2008
9. I am not sure why so much attention is on BB it takes both horse and JOCKEY to win a race. BB had a jockey on top that in my opinion let him down. I think if he had relaxed him after the gate and stayed on the fence he would have had a far better run. Driving him to the outside was a huge mistake. Desormeaux is the one with the common sense or maybe NOT!!!! Even the best jockies make mistakes they just have to be big enough to admit to them..... No pun intended....
Deb at 11:09AM on Jun 11th 2008
10. Deb,
Big Brown surprized a lot of people. He didn't want to ease back ... he wanted to challenge the leader from the inside - the opposite of his usual running style. Desormeaux listened to Big Brown in the Derby; I wonder why he didn't do that again here.
Rochelle at 12:21PM on Jun 11th 2008
11. I think Kent Desormeaux wanted to win the Triple Crown as much as everyone wanted to see him and Brownie do it, and for him to pull the horse up when it didn't respond to urging, was the wisest thing to do in order to save it from injury on the way home. After all, the horse had already been sold to be bred as soon as he raced a few more times and was worth millions and millions of bucks. You don't dare mess with that kind of money. Any horse can have a bad day, and in that kind of heat and humidity, horses aren't happy--they prefer the cool, crisp air to work in as in their morning workouts.
Polly at 2:40PM on Jun 11th 2008
12. I WAS VERY SURPRIZED TO SEE BIG BROWN'S JOCKEY PULLING HIM UP. IT WAS VERY OBVIOUS THAT THE HORSE WAS FIGHTING THE JOCKEY,MY FIRST COMMENT TO MY HUSBAND WAS "I WONDER HOW MUCH HE GOT(THE JOCKEY) TO THROW THE RACE." I MAY BE WRONG BUT I THINK THAT HORSE WOULD HAVE RUN A GOOD RACE IF HE HAD BEEN GIVEN HIS HEAD.
noella bradley at 5:46PM on Jun 11th 2008
13. Deb,
Sounds as if we are pretty much in agreement. What did you think of Desormeaux's ride? I think he should have been watching BB's leads a little better and not stuck to past running style. But, I have no problem with him galloping BB out since BB's race was long over. As far as breeding; match him with mares that have stamina in their bloodlines and his foals won't have the weakness he did last weekend ... but they need to not rush him into breeding. I say to let him finish out his three year old year and give him his four year old year off.
I'd like to add that there is potential in this year's colt/gelding crop ... when they mature a little more and get to be four and five years olds.
Rochelle at 3:24AM on Jun 12th 2008