So now Casino Drive is out of the Belmont Stakes. It should be another cakewalk for Big Brown. What really will that prove? It will prove that for three Saturdays Big Brown was a superior horse to a lesser class of horses. His Derby was one of the most impressive Derbies ever, but his Preakness was nothing to brag about. There was not a Grade I winner in the bunch.

The Belmont Stakes will provide little drama. There is a maiden in the race, so good for Big Brown if he can defeat him. There is Anak Nakal, a horse who hasn’t won a race or even hit the board in months. There is Icabad Crane and Macho Again, two nice horses but no superstars there. There is Denis of Cork, a horse that actually may prove a very good three year old as the year goes on, but a horse that Big Brown already dismissed with ease. And Tale of Ekati, a horse that has had his share of big losses this year.

This is the best chance we have seen since Spectacular Bid for a Triple Crown winner, but Big Brown is still no Spectacular Bid. It is hard to imagine him getting beat today. There just isn’t enough class in the race to defeat him, but it still won’t prove that Big Brown is a super horse.

Ron Turcotte was interviewed the other day and he didn’t even blink when asked who wins between Big Brown and Secretariat. Secretariat, of course. Does any long time fan of the game really think otherwise? So, let’s not get carried away here.

Is it a good thing that the Triple Crown game has changed so much that a horse who makes his sixth start today will win the ultimate prize? That said horse will run maybe twice more and be retired to stud. How will history look upon him with eight starts? Is he deserving to stand besides Affirmed, Seattle Slew, Secretariat, Citation, Whirlaway, Gallant Fox, War Admiral?

Big Brown is a very talented colt. He has done things horses aren’t supposed to do. His owners are changing the way the game is played and the families who once dominated the game with rich history and rivalries are being replaced by the hedgefund gang, not really a warm and tingly moment. Dutrow is too cocky for his own good, and the way he dismissed Smarty Jones, Casino Drive and even Curlin is just asking for bad kharma. In a race today between his star and Curlin, Curlin’s numbers say he wins hands down. Perhaps, the only one who feels otherwise is Dutrow and the hedgefund. Dutrow is not exactly inviting feelings of good cheer either.

Today, in order to get any joy out of the race and its’ “foregone conclusion” root for Kent and his little boy, that he was able to see a Triple Crown winner. And, root for the beautiful, big bay horse who cannot control who owns him, who trains him, and who he is racing against.

Big Brown wins today, and Tale of Ekati and Denis of Cork are right behind him. Ready’s Echo or Icabad Crane may pick up some pieces for fourth.