"He's a very good horse. We all knew that." I would challenge you to read many of the posts prior to this race about Big Brown and see how few actually say he's a very good horse.

There is no doubt that Big Brown, IEAH, and Dutrow are a "target" for criticism. That being said, I can certainly understand the supporters seeing "any" criticism as jaded and biased -- but I don't think that means that "all" criticism is neccessarily jaded and biased.

As far as being impressed, I was impressed with Big Brown in the Derby -- the way he did what he did, the ease in which he did what he did. Dutrow et al picked the 20, said what they were going to do, went out and did it. Period. Then, of course, will be the arguement that the crop is weak, he didn't beat anything, etc. That's another topic for another time.

Big Brown has accomplished a lot, no doubt. He's a very nice horse, a very good horse. Based upon what we've seen since the beginning of the year, and any jaded or biased opinions aside, I can also very much see someone not being "impressed" with how Big Brown did what he did today. Bad performance, no, certainly not. However, I can certainly the opinion that he didn't "live up to" some of the standards of what this horse allegedly was supposed to be -- a super-star, a very special horse, perhaps on of the greats to come along, etc.

Eric

You read what you want to believe. Everything is relative.

Well said.

Eric

That sums it all up.

It's not that easy. While I have been a huge supporter of Big Brown all year, the fact is, he has risen to the occasion in each race (except one and we still don't know what happened). There just aren't that many horses you can say that about. We aren't even talking Place or Show here. Every one mentioned above were all WINS! Nearly $4 million and more to come depending on how much he earns if he earns in the BCC.

You're right....It sums up what a back-handed compliment is.

The easiest 4 million ever by beating who???

Yeah, he's one of the greatest all time :rolleyes:

keep in mind now HHH, except for one race, he's been there every time. seriously roller is right. how many horses can you say that about?? :D

actually, plenty come to mind for me. but who can blame the guy when the best horse he's seen or heard of is apparently afleet alex?

By beating every horse who faced him. He's not dodged anyone. He is not the greatest of all time, but he is the GREATEST in 2008.

Who comes to mind Danzig????

I first saw Smarty Jones when I started learning horse racing. So I would say he is the best I've ever seen. Don't make fun of me because I am much younger than you. Just because the first horse you rooted for was Aristides, shouldn't spoil my fun.

And that's saying A LOT.

Well winning from the outside posts and blowing everyone away in The FL Derby and Kentucky Derby says quite a bit.

That was pretty good

RollerDoc is on fire!@!

But could Curlin run down Coal Play too? Wait, is that even the name of the horse BB beat in the Haskell?

I for one was impressed. Not by the effort so much. It wasn't that great of a race. In fact, it was barely more than a good race. But for him to be able to win it, while finally facing good horses, was something that I was glad to see. It at least tells me that he was more than just the best horse of the sorriest 3yo crop I've ever seen. The horses he beat today weren't much but they were more than he's been facing. It's like the precocious high schooler that looks so dominant when facing his peers and everyone wants to see how he'll do when facing grown men. Well, BB wasn't facing an NBA all-star team out there today but it was a group of guys that have been decent college players. So that was something. It also enhances his stature for me because he has done it on both surfaces. I always give extra credit to those that are a little more versatile than others. I still don't think he's nearly as great as some others do and I still don't know if I'd say he's even a top five horse of this year but at least now I know he wasn't totally a product of his class.

More like Big Brown's on fire. Seven wins out of 8 tries and throw the miss out until we really know what happened.

None of the horses you put in your top five have faced Big Brown. His resume this year is better than all of your choices. To say he isn't in the top five this year is ludicrous.

To say he's the best horse of this year is criminal. So since none of them have faced him means that he's better than them? How about he's faced none of them either. His resume includes races that none of them were eligible for, save for Proud Spell. You are caught up in the names of the races but those races that Big Brown won were just horrible. HORRIBLE.