Thursday, May 15, 2008

BIG BROWN AND SEVEN OTHER PREAKNESS STARTERS ARRIVE AT PIMLICO

BALTIMORE, 05-14-08---Accompanied by two United Parcel Service vehicles, Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown arrived and entered the Preakness stakes barn at Pimlico Race Course this evening to begin his quest for the middle jewel of thoroughbred racing's Triple Crown.

Shortly after 8 p.m., the police escort which had guided the van carrying Big Brown from the airport dispersed and the horse calmly took up residence amid a host of TV cameras and reporters.

Trainer Rick Dutrow, Jr., who rode in the van, said there were "no problems" with the transport from Kentucky. "This was clockwork."

BIG BROWN DRAWS POST 7 FOR 133RD PREAKNESS

Baltimore, Md. 5-14-08 – Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown was installed as the 1-2 morning-line favorite for Saturday’s 133rd running of the Preakness Stakes during the post-position draw ceremony at the ESPN Zone at Baltimore’s Inner Harbor Wednesday. The Richard Dutrow-trained colt, who became the first horse in 79 years to win the Derby from the No. 20 post, drew the No. 7 post in the middle of the 13-horse field entered Wednesday in the Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown at Pimlico.

Arkansas Derby winner Gayego, who finished 17th in the Kentucky Derby, was rated second by Maryland Jockey Club linemaker Frank Carulli at 8-1 from his No. 12 post. Behindatthebar, who captured the Lexington Stakes (G2) in his most recent start, drew the No. 5 post and was rated third at 10-1.

PREAKNESS HOPEFULS MAKE THEIR WAY TO PIMLICO, ZITO VOICES HIS CONCERNS FOR HORSES AND RACING

BIG BROWN – Before leaving for Maryland, the Kentucky Derby winner made one more visit to the track at Churchill Downs Wednesday morning.

Trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. said the colt went out for a gallop with his regular exercise rider, Michelle Nevin.

“It was just a regular gallop,” Dutrow said. “He went good.”

Dutrow will accompany Big Brown on the afternoon flight from Louisville, Ky. to Baltimore-Washington International Airport. The flight is scheduled to land at BWI at approximately 5:30 p.m. The van carrying Big Brown, which will receive a police escort, is expected at Pimlico about one hour later. Big Brown will go to the track at Pimlico Thursday morning, but Dutrow said he had not decided when the colt will go out for his morning gallop.