What Smarty Jones faced in 2004 & what Big Brown faces on Saturday....the difference?

[RolloTomasi]

Originally Posted by Hickory Hill Hoff

But, we didn't know that going into the race. Denis of Cork, Tale of Ekati and even Ready's Echo could prove more later on this year.

Good point. Denis of Cork could make a lot of noise if managed properly. Tale of Ekati, being by Tale of the Cat, no matter what his talent level, to me doesn't seem a classic type horse (I expect a Grand Slam or Scan type effort from him--which is to say he will drop out of a forward position at the top of the stretch). I'd look for him, if he were in any other barn than Barclay Tagg's, to point for mile races and extended sprints subsequently.

I have no idea who Ready's Echo is. Everytime I see his name I think of the horse that was a bad 2nd to Majestic Warrior in the Hopeful who then ran last in the Champagne. The only thing I know about him is that he's not that horse. Which is probably a good thing...