I've Seen All I Need To See With Big Brown

[rbain0902]

Had the opportunity to watch Pyro watch the last two Mondays at Keeneland. A few friends of mine had wondered how he would handle the synthetic surface, with the Blue Grass Stakes coming up.

To me, he looked visually very impressive in these two works, especially the first one. He was just skimming over the track, and stood out from most of the other workers that morning.

With Curlin coming to Keeneland from Dubai, I wonder if Asmussen will resume working them together as Pyro leads up to the Derby. Should be interesting to watch!

[lemoncrush]

Originally Posted by rbain0902

With Curlin coming to Keeneland from Dubai, I wonder if Asmussen will resume working them together as Pyro leads up to the Derby. Should be interesting to watch!

I would be surprised if Curlin has a workout anytime soon, with or without pyro. He won't be running again until
mid-to-late summer, I assume.

[MisterB]

BB 's time was a whole second faster than Barbaro

Freak horse indeed

[hockey2315]

Originally Posted by MisterB

BB 's time was a whole second faster than Barbaro

Freak horse indeed

I hope this was a joke

[MisterB]

Originally Posted by hockey2315

I hope this was a joke

The time? NO

[Thunder Gulch]

It wasn't any better than Curlin's final prep last year, and it's way too early to say he can touch that one...by the way, Curlin was 3rd in the Derby. Yes, it was impressive any way you slice it, but the question isn't how good it was, the question is how good will the next one be under different circumstances.

[hockey2315]

Originally Posted by MisterB

The time? NO

So you're comparing times from races two years apart? That's always a good idea. . .

[ELA]

Originally Posted by hockey2315

So you're comparing times from races two years apart? That's always a good idea. . .

Good point. That's an exercise in futility. However, I can certainly understand comparing the two -- respectively -- to every other race on the card, the weather, bias, etc. and so on, right down the line. Whether or not that gives you some "substance" of comparison I guess would be in the eye of the beholder.

I was extremely high on Curlin from day one and thought he would be a factor in the Derby. I was worried about "too much too soon" and whether or not he had the seasoning, experience, and what was needed for a Triple Crown campaign; but with each successive start that had to be less and less of a concern. I liked him in the Derby, very much. I loved him in the Preakness. The Belmont to me is somewhat enigmatic so let's forget that for the time being.

For whatever reasons, I have been extremely high on Big Brown from the moment I saw him break his maiden at the Spa. Now, I don't know, maybe this is different. Sure, he raced once as a two year old. But if his "problems" are exclusively his feet, great, but if not . . . Like I said, I don't know. People had similar discussions about Empire Maker, but he wasn't sound from almost day one, and we all know how that story goes.

To me, Big Brown is just more puzzling than Curlin and that just makes me less strong and confident. He could be the next ___fill in the blank___. I'd love to see it. On the other hand . . . Anyway, the verdict is still out.

Eric

[johnny pinwheel]

Originally Posted by hockey2315

So you're comparing times from races two years apart? That's always a good idea. . .

thats great. let him. that horse will be 5-2 if he makes the gate, maybe less. with people like this and the ones that bet once a year he may be lower. i for one am willing to bet against. that wasn't exactly a stellar group he beat. i never get worked up about horses like that until they beat the real contenders. three races then 1 1/4 mile against seasoned rivals. not saying he can't but he probably won't .