More horse racing, ain’t you tired of this shit already?

Whether you like it or not, we’ll witness yet another spectacle of horse maltreatment as the 2008 Del Mar season gears up for its start on July 16 at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club racetrack.

Dubbed as ‘’where the surf meets the turf,'’ the 2008 Del Mar race meet opens with the Oceanside Stakes and will close with the anticipated $250,000 Del Mar Futurity, running until September 3.

Del Mar horse racing is the biggest event in California. From an old-fashioned race track started by Hollywood legend Bing Crosby and his high-profile gang in 1937, the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club today is among America’s best attended race tracks.

The Del Mar 2008 Race Meet comes a week ahead of the Saratoga 2008 race meet.

The track has a one mile main dirt track and a seven furlong turf course. The track runs during the summer at the Del Mar Fairgrounds and can stable more than a thousand horses.

In early 2007, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club installed a new Polytrack surface for a price of approximately 9 million dollars. On July 18, 2007, Jon Court became the first jockey to win a race on the new Polytrack surface.

The track races, stretching from July to September, presents…

Read More » 2008 Del Mar Season hopes to break the silence in Horse Racing after the conclusion of the Triple Crown

How about that, after hobbling from last place at Belmont Park, the one-legged Big Brown will be racing again.

That’s right, the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes champion, Big Brown, will be back on the race track competing in the $1-million 2008 Haskell Invitational on August 3 at Monmouth Park in New Jersey.

Much to our surprise here on OddJack, Big Brown was given a clean bill of health during a post-race veterinary examination and now will look to capture the Haskell Invitational after failing to win what many thought was his for the taking a few weeks ago, this year’s Triple Crown.

‘’The Haskell’s clearly a first target right now,'’ IEAH Stable president Michael Iavarone said.

Owned by IEAH Stable, Big Brown finished last to 38-1 longshot Da’Tara at the 2008 Belmont Stakes last June 7 at Belmont Park, making him the first Triple Crown hopeful to finish last at Belmont Park. You can just imagine how utterly irritated those people were, riding the Big Brown bandwagon.Iavarone also said that he had specific reasons for choosing the Haskell over the upcoming Jim Dandy Stakes at the end of July.

‘’We’re trying to avoid certain things that happened in the Belmont,'’ he said. ‘’We’re trying…'’

Read More » Big Brown will race the 2008 Haskell Invitational

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…

Read More » Why Big Brown failed miserably in winning the Triple Crown in the 2008 Belmont Stakes

This is it, the very race that will determine whether we’ll have the first Triple Crown winner for quite a long time or not.

It’s on this Saturday, as Big Brown will try to capture this year’s Triple Crown title in the 140th Belmont Stakes. The colt certainly didn’t look good heading for Belmont Park this weekend after discovering that crack on his left front hoof, but after the colt managed to get the No.1 post position for the final leg of the Triple Crown trail, people will probably ride his bandwagon again.

With 2-5 odds to win at Belmont, Big Brown will come out of the No.1 position after winning the Derby from the last gate and winning the Preakness from the middle. Jockey Kent Desormeaux should be more than happy of the fact that he’ll have the inside lane for a change, coming out of the post that produced the most Belmont winners since 1905.

‘’Absolutely, because it’s an easier trip,'’ Kent Desormeaux said, referring to the lane he will have to guide Big Brown on for the 2008 Belmont Stakes. ‘’I would be able to just guide and glide. Now, I’m going to have to jockey for position. He’s so fast away from the gate, though, the race might be over in 40 yards.'’

While Desormeaux just might be a little too cocky in their attempt to win the 2008 Triple Crown series title, he should be aware that the rest of the pack would love to spoil their plans of a sweep.

With 50-1 odds, Guadalcanal will come out of post No.2 while Macho Again…

Read More » Big Brown goes for Triple Crown in Belmont Stakes 140

Winning the 2008 Triple Crown series title, perhaps that’s easier said than done.

The Triple Crown of thoroughbred racing consists of the three jewels of horse racing namely; the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. Winning all three of these thoroughbred horse races is considered the greatest accomplishment of a thoroughbred race horse. And after Big Brown won the first two legs of this year’s Triple Crown trail, winning the 140th Belmont Stakes will make him horse racing’s new Triple Crown winner.

However, the Triple Crown has become a very rare achievement in recent years. In the 125-year history of the U.S. events, only 11 horses have won the Triple Crown and none has again since 1978.

The grueling schedule of the three races all jammed together in 5 weeks is probably the most difficult task any horse will face in his racing career. Affirmed in 1978 still remains as the last Triple Crown winner. Yes, it’s been that long.

Looking to do the same feat is Big Brown, winner of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, when he runs the 1 1/2 -mile track for the 2008 Belmont Stakes on June 7.

Looking back at the previous winners of the prestigious Triple Crown title, the first ever Triple Crown champion was Sir Barton in 1919 followed by…

Read More » Will Big Brown join the past Triple Crown champions and win the 2008 Belmont Stakes?

As of press time, Big Brown’s people claims the Triple Crown contender is OK.

Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Big Brown went back to the track, jogging once around Belmont Park’s 1 1/2-mile oval after hurting his front left foot heading to the last leg of the Triple Crown trail, the 140th Belmont Stakes.

Big Brown, who had missed three days of training after being diagnosed with a quarter crack in his left front hoof, practiced at Belmont Park, probably with false hope that the injury won’t stop the colt from winning the 2008 Triple Crown series title.

‘’He looks like an absolute picture,'’ trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. said after his Triple Crown contender resumed training while recovering from the front hoof injury. ‘’You would never think that he would look this good after what he’s been through, running so often and shipping, flying. He just looks unbelievable.'’

Sure he does.

Dutrow wants us to believe that Big Brown appears set for his attempt to become the first Triple Crown winner at the 2008 Belmont Stakes on June 7. However, with other HEALTHY thoroughbreds looking to win at Belmont Park, will you still…

Read More » Can Injured Big Brown still win 2008 Belmont Stakes?

Big Brown having this advantage sure came at the right time eh?

For all ya’ll who didn’t know, Big Brown injured his left front hoof heading to the 140th Belmont Stakes. Yep, just like Tom Brady heading to Super Bowl XLII, the dominant force was wearing a ‘’special boot'’ heading possibly to the biggest event of his career. Luckily for Big Brown, it seems lady luck is smiling at him yet again.

After having the worst possible scenario back at the Kentucky Derby, when Big Brown drew the last and final gate at Churchill Downs, and again coming up with a rather dreadful position at the middle of the Preakness Stakes, this year’s Triple Crown contender finally was lucky enough to draw Gate No.1 for the Belmont Stakes, giving him a clearer shot of winning the Triple Crown title at Belmont Park, with or without the front hoof injury.

You read it people, the odds on favorite to win the 2008 Belmont Stakes just drew rail, the very gate that produced the most Belmont Stakes winners since 1905. After seeing this colt win the Derby from the last post and again winning the Preakness from the middle, drawing the No.1 post is a HUGE advantage for the Triple Crown contender, as if he needs one.

Oddsmakers have proclaimed Big Brown as the early 2-5 favorite to win the Belmont Stakes and capture the 2008 Triple Crown series title. And now that he has drawn rail, expect Big Brown’s stock to grow a little bit more heading for…

Read More » Big Brown draws No.1 post for the 2008 Belmont Stakes

Can Big Brown win the Triple Crown title at the 2008 Belmont Stakes?

That is the question many horse racing fans are probably asking themselves heading to the 140th Belmont Stakes, with Big Brown, the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner, only a victory away from the Triple Crown title.

Of course, the top thoroughbreds of the nation will be out to challenge Big Brown at Belmont Park and try to win the last leg of this year’s Triple Crown trail. And while this year’s ONLY Triple Crown contender has been dominant during the last two races, a crack on his left front hoof instantaneously created doubts if Big Brown can really capture horse racing’s holy grail.

Big Brown’s challengers at the 2008 Belmont Stakes are expected to include Casino Drive, Denis of Cork, Icabad Crane, Macho Again, Anak Nakal, Tomcito and possibly Ready’s Echo and Spark Candle.

Looking at Big Brown’s competitors, Casino Drive looks to be the one to give the 2008 Triple Crown series contender a lot of problems at Belmont Park. The colt is the winner of two lifetime starts with his debut taking place at the Kyoto Racecourse with 1 1/8 miles stretching…

Read More » Who’ll challenge Big Brown at the 2008 Belmont Stakes and stop his 2008 Triple Crown trail?

UH OH…

Before you bet butt-loads of money on Big Brown to win the 2008 Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park, READ THIS. Big Brown, the undefeated Triple Crown contender is hurt. You read it people, turns out that the dominant thoroughbred has a slight crack on his left front hoof, just when you thought we’ll finally have a Triple Crown winner for sure.

After winning both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes in convincing fashion, Big Brown had his first speed bump, if you will, in his quest for horse racing’s holy grail after a slight crack on his front hoof was discovered by trainer Rick Dutrow Jr.

Although Dutrow believes the injury shouldn’t stop the colt from running the 140th Belmont Stakes, he can’t help but to still be concerned about it. ‘’We’re all concerned because there’s a big race coming up,'’ Dutrow said outside his barn. ‘’But Ian (McKinlay) has us pretty well relaxed. He’s telling me it’s nothing and he’ll be fine in a few days.'’

Hoof specialist Ian McKinlay has been treating Big Brown’s injury hoping that it won’t slow down the colt in his quest to win the 2008 Triple Crown series. After winning the first two legs of this year’s Triple Crown trail, it would be a shame if Big Brown goes out this way. The colt already missed two days of training at Belmont Park and is expected to miss at least several weeks more.

Fortunately for these guys, there’s a…

Read More » Holy shit! Triple Crown Contender Big Brown is INJURED heading to the 2008 Belmont Stakes!

Yep, Big Brown did it again last weekend, making us here at OddJack a perfect 2-0 now on this year’s Triple Crown trail. How about that huh?

Big Brown won the 2008 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico after winning the Kentucky Derby, making him merely a win away from the elusive Triple Crown. It was a huge payout for us too because, like most of you probably, we were riding the ‘’Big Brown bandwagon'’ again and I got to tell you, it was like having your own ATM machine. Hee hee…

With Big Brown already winning two of the three races for the Triple Crown, the focus now shifts for the 2008 Belmont Stakes. Hell, these guys around Big Brown were so confident that they were already talking about the third leg of the Triple Crown trail even BEFORE the second leg was underway.

Of course, Big Brown winning the Belmont Stakes to capture the 2008 Triple Crown series title will indeed make horse racing history since it’s been a while since this sport had a Triple Crown winner.

But the fact of the matter is, it’s still a little too early to talk about that, right now, we should just probably admire the colt and how he dominated the field again for the second straight race. (Or, you can just continue admiring the way the hot and sexy Maria Sharapova moves around a tennis court, making those itsy bitsy little skirt of hers fly…)

As for Big Brown, he did not disappoint horse racing fans after winning the…

Read More » Can Big Brown actually win the 2008 Triple Crown title?