In case you missed the race, (like most of us here…) the search for the new Triple Crown series champion continues.

Highly fancied Big Brown missed out on the coveted Triple Crown title after finishing dead last in the 2008 Belmont Stakes last weekend. Da’ Tara came up with the win in the last leg of this year’s Triple Crown trail.

A 1-4 favorite to win the Belmont Stakes and be part of history in his attempt to become only the 12th winner of the Triple Crown since Affirmed in 1978, Big Brown became the VERY FIRST of 19 horses going for a Triple Crown to finish last instead. Ugh…

Da’ Tara went wire-to-wire with the 2008 Triple Crown series contender during the race after jockey Alan Garcia sprinted out of the gate to take the early lead. Big Brown, who was eager in the early going, ran up on Da’ Tara’s heels heading into the first turn.

Da’ Tara had the lead down the backstretch, with Tale of Ekati in second and Big Brown running third on the outside with a clear path. This was probably Big Brown’s only shining moment at Belmont Park and when jockey Kent Desormeaux asked him to go to take the lead from Da’ Tara, the hobbling colt simply did not respond.

‘’I had no horse,'’ jockey Kent Desormeaux said.

Why the sudden collapse? Well, for one, Big Brown could still be favoring that crack on his left front hoof. And while the colt was lucky enough to draw the No.1 post for the 140th Belmont Stakes, his jockey’s, as well as his trainer’s cockiness before the big race could’ve gotten the racing gods so irritated that they made sure Big Brown will have the worst performance of his career last weekend.

‘’He’s so fast away from the gate, though, the race might be over in 40 yards.'’ Words from jockey Kent Desormeaux.

‘’I just can’t see a post position getting him beat. As long as we break good, I can see us getting a good trip. There is not a lot of speed in the race. If we need our horse early on, he’ll be there for us.'’ Words coming from trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. referring to the No.1 post they just drew before the Belmont Stakes.

You can bet your ass they’re eating their words now.

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2008 Belmont Stakes Big Brown