RSSTrainer Rick Dutrow Jr.Blames Kent Desormeaux for Big Brown’s Big Loss at Belmont
The Belmont blame game has begun. The Belmont Stakes proved once again that the only sure things in life are death and taxes. The blame game has begun and it looks like its every man for himself. Big Brown’s stunning last place finish in the Belmont ending its Triple Crown victory has a way of diving the troops. Every body loves a winner and every one must find a skate goat when there is a loser. Or a jockey in this case as Big Brown’s trainer Rick Dutrow blames Kent Desormeaux for the last place finish.
Trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. still blames Kent Desormeaux for Big Brown’s stunning last-place finish in the Belmont Stakes, but he wouldn’t object to the jockey riding the horse in his next race.
The decision of whether to change jockeys is up to co-owner Michael Iavarone, Dutrow said.
“I don’t want to hurt anyone, especially Kent,” Dutrow told The Associated Press on Tuesday morning in his barn at Aqueduct. “But I still don’t understand what happened. I don’t see the horse with a problem, so I have to direct my attention toward the ride. That’s all I can come up with.”
Belmont Stakes … Can Anything Stand in the Way of a Big Brown Win and The Triple Crown? (UPDATE: Big Brown … BIG USPET … Big Brown Loses)
Big Brown poised for horse racing Triple Crown history.
Big Brown has been nothing short of awesome in the first two jewels of the Triple Crown. Big Brown cruised to an easy win in the Kentucky Derby and a romp in the Preakness Stakes.
Now Big Brown is one win away in today’s 140th Belmont Stakes from horse racing history and immortality. With virtually no competition, Big Brown is a win away from winning The Triple Crown, a feat that has not been accomplished in 30 years. What stands in the way of Big Brown’s win at the Belmont? Could the cracked hoof cause a problem? It would appear the hoof has been patched and Big Brown is ready to run. The only real competition that Big Brown had was Casino Drive. However, Casino Drive was scratched this morning was scratched due to a bruise in his left hind foot.
Nothing has changed trainer Rick Dutrow’s Jr’s mind that the strapping bay colt will celebrate in the winner’s circle at the Belmont Stakes on Saturday and win the first Triple Crown in 30 years. “He’s just the coolest horse that ever lived,” Dutrow said. It’s been 30 years since Affirmed swept the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont to become horse racing’s 11th Triple Crown winner. The drought has left the sport starved to anoint a savior. Three times this decade a horse won the first two legs of the series only to get tripped up in the Belmont. Triple Crown Brown has a nice ring to it and the nickname could be his by nightfall.
Ok, if the race needs to drama maybe it will only come from one of Big Brown’s sponsors, Hooters, being sidelined. The NYRS nixed the Hooters deal. Talk about a true celebrity, Big Brown poses with the Hooters girls. The NYRS obviously has no sense of humor and take themselves a bit too seriously. We shall wait and see if Big Brown can make history later this afternoon at The Belmont.
UPDATE I: Shocker at the Belmont … BIG BROWN … BIG UPSET!!!
There will be no Triple Crown winner this year. What happened to Big Brown? It did not even look like the same horse that ran in the Derby and Preakness.
The elusive Triple Crown is just that … elusive. What was supposed to be as close to a sure thing as one in the horse racing industry could bank on, turned out to be just the opposite. Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner BIG BROWN comes in last in the Belmont and fails to win the Triple Crown.
UPDATE II: Belmont Park … Triple Crown winner … NOT SO FAST!!!
Big Brown failed in his bid to become horse racing’s 12th Triple Crown winner when he finished dead last to Da’ Tara in the Belmont Stakes.
Da’ Tara went wire to wire to beat eight other thoroughbreds over 1½ miles, the longest and toughest of the three classics.
“I had no horse,” said Big Brown’s jockey, Kent Desormeaux.
Big Brown went from potential Triple Crown winner to finishing dead last in a matter of minutes. The handling of this horse prior to race day will be debated for years to come. Any novice watching the race saw that the same horse was not present in the Belmont that thundered to impressive wins in the Derby and Preakness. So what was the difference?
Dutrow was second-guessed all week about his handling of a quarter crack in Big Brown’s left front hoof, which surfaced after the Preakness and wasn’t patched until Friday. He also came under scrutiny after admitting using legal steroids on Big Brown, even though the colt’s last dose was in April.
Big Brown was rank at the start and failed to respond when Desormeaux asked him to run in the last turn. At that point, Desormeaux eased him up.
The loss hit Desormeaux especially hard.
“This horse is the best I’ve ever ridden,” he said. “Something’s wrong, and I took care of him.”
Jim McKay … Legendary Sports Announcer of Wide World of Sports and Olympics Dead at the Age of 86
Jim McKay, best known to generations as the host of ABC’s Wide World of 
Sports, has died at the age of 86. According to reports KcCay died of natural causes. Today, part of my childhood died as Jim McKay was the man that brought me sports in my youth. Long before ESPN and 24 hour sports networks there was only one show in town … ABC’s Wide World of Sports. Who did not watch “the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat”. From horse racing events like the Kentucky Derby, barrel jumping, Acapulco cliff diving and the Indy 500, Jim McKay was there.
If there was a sporting event … Jim McKay was there. On a personal note, one year back in the 80’s a group of friends went to the Belmont where we happened to stand some 10 feet away from McKay doing the post race analysis at track side.
However, it was the covering of one sporting event that made Jim McKay a household name for millions. Jim McKay went from sports announcer to news anchor during the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany when Israeli athletes were taken hostage by Palestinian terrorists. An event that changed sports coverage forever.
Mr. McKay was thrust into the role of news anchor early on Sept. 5, 1972, when Israeli athletes were taken hostage at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany. About to take a swim in the Sheraton’s pool when the call came, Mr. McKay “threw on clothes over his swim trunks and took his seat in the studio, where he would remain for most of the next sixteen hours,” the 1994 book “The House That Roone Book” recalled.
Mr. McKay memorably reported the news that eleven Israeli hostages had been killed. “They’re all gone,” he said.
To Jim McKay … the man who brought us sports without all the melodrama of today … thank you, God bless and rest in peace.
NEW YORK — Jim McKay, the veteran and eloquent sportscaster thrust into the role of telling Americans about the tragedy at the 1972 Munich Olympics, has died. He was 86.
McKay died Saturday, said ABC, the network with which he was long affiliated. The cause of death was not immediately given.
McKay was host of ABC’s “Wide World of Sports” for decades. The influential weekend series introduced viewers to all manners of strange, compelling and far-flung sports events.
Jim McKay, Olympics and ABC announcer, dies at age 86
McKay is best known for hosting “ABC’s Wide World of Sports” and 12 Olympic Games.
McKay won numerous awards for journalism, including the George Polk Memorial Award and two Emmys — one for his sports coverage, the other for his news reporting — for his work at the 1972 Munich Olympics, which were tragically affected by the Black September terrorists’ attack on the Israeli athletes in the Olympic Village.
Sportscaster Jim McKay dies at 86
Dwight White, Former NFL Pittsburgh Steeler Steel Curtain Defensive End Dies at Age 58
Dwight White, former NFL Pittsburgh Steeler great and one of the original members of the four man famed Steel Curtain, has died at the age of 58. The Steel Curtain was the most dominant front four defensive lines of the 1970’s. Dwight White leaves behind a wife and a daughter. What a sad loss to the football and Pittsburgh community as White would have turned 59 at the end of next month. Rest in peace.
It appears that White died from complications following back surgery; however, there are not many details to the cause. White made up the NFL legendary Pittsburgh “Steel Curtain” defense along with Ernie Holmes, Mean Joe Greene and LC. Greenwood. This dominating defense force helped the Pittsburgh Steelers to 4 Super Bowl wins in the 1970’s.
Justin Hayes, Baseball Fan Falls 150 Feet to Death at Turner Field During Atlanta Braves & NY Mets Game
25 year old Justin Hayes fell to his death during the 8th inning of the 
baseball game between the NY Mets and the Atlanta Braves. Hayes fell about 150 feet from the club level to the landing on the field level during the game. Hayes was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Police are stating that alcohol was involved; however, friends and family are disputing that notion. An autopsy will answer that question.
The investigation is “pointing toward drinking. Alcohol was a factor,” said Atlanta police department spokesman Ronald Campbell on Thursday.
Campbell said Hayes may have been sliding down the hand rails when he fell.
“We are still waiting for the police report to be completed,” Campbell said. “We had officers working at the game.”
Mark Guilbeau, the senior investigator with the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office, said an autopsy will be performed.
The Braves issued a statement Thursday expressing sympathy for Hayes’ family.
Parents of deceased Braves fan release statement
Another Death on an Escalator at a Ballpark? First Mets now Braves
BIG BROWN … BIG WIN, Big Brown Blows Away Field in Preakness, Second Jewel of Triple Crown
BIG BROWN … Two for two with only the Belmont left. Big Brown awesome … simply awesome. 5 and 0 and the Belmont to go …
Big Brown wins the Preakness going away. Big Brown stays undefeated and wins the Second Jewel of the Triple Crown going away. Never was the 3 year old challenged during the Preakness as Big Brown ran a near perfect race. The pre-race prohibited favorite was never challenged. During the final stretch of the race, Big Brown and his jockey were actually looking for a horse to run against. Big Brown has been nothing short of spectacular and in complete command of both the Kentuck Derby and Preakness Stakes. Running near perfect races with much more left at the end, it appears that nothing stands in the way of Big Brown becoming the first horse in 30 years to win The Triple Crown.
Big Brown now stands at the gates of Triple Crown history. With impressive wins in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, all that stands in Big Brown’s way in the Belmont. If the first two legs of The Triple Crown are any sign of things to come, horse racing looks like it may have its first Triple Crown winner in 30 years since Affirmed. For Big Brown, its 3 weeks until horse racing immortality.
PETA Calls for Eight Belles Jockey, Gabriel Saez, Suspension after Fillies Death at Kentucky Derby
This years Kentucky Derby was a clear example of the triumph and tragedy of the sport of horse racing. Big Brown thundered to an impressive and overwhelming win, while the only horse to put up any challenge was second place filly, Eight Belles. However, Eight Belles race day would end in tragedy. As fate would have it, we posted about this years Kentucky Derby and honored Barbaro who captured our hearts in 2006 with his tremendous struggle to overcome his injuries only to be euthenized in 2007.
Eight Belles crossed the finish line Saturday in full gallop in second place, then the unthinkable happened. As camera came off of the winner, Big Brown, the filly was down on the track. Any one who watches races or has been around horses knew this was not a good thing. Sadly, Eight Belles had to be humanely euthenized on the track as she had broken both front ankles while galloping out a quarter of a mile past the wire. The race obviously marred by this tragic event. However, questions remain as to what happened that caused such a bizarre injury.
PETA is calling for the suspension of Eight Belles’ jockey, Gabriel Saez, while the investigation goes on as to what happened to Eight Belles.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is seeking the suspension of Eight Belles’ jockey after the filly had to be euthanized following her second-place finish in the Kentucky Derby on Saturday.
Gabriel Saez was riding Eight Belles when she broke both front ankles while galloping out a quarter of a mile past the wire. She was euthanized on the track.
134th Running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs … Remembering Barbaro
Why we love sporting events like The Kentucky Derby. Win, place or show … there is always a greater story told than just the outcome of the race. The race is secondary to life’s lessons learned along the way. Thank you Barbaro for reminding us what it means to fight the good fight. Barbaro … A true sports HERO!
I am not a horse big racing fan or claim to be any type of expert on the Sport 
of Kings; however, I am a fan of all sports. The Kentucky Derby is a spectacle beyond horse racing no different than the Indy 500 and Daytona 500 are not just car races. The events have far exceeded their sports. The sights, the sounds of the Kentucky Derby make it a must attend event at least once for any sports fanatic. The playing of “My Old Kentucky Home” just makes it a true piece of Americana.
Today is the 134th running of The Kentucky Derby … The Run for the Roses and the most exciting two minutes in sports. All eyes are on Big Brown out of the 20 horse field. However, keep your eyes on Colonel John, Eight Belles and Pyro. Did I just say 20 horses? Wow, that is going to be one hard task to get 20 horses in the starting gates and get them off cleanly.
Big Brown favored at Kentucky Derby despite post
God works in mysterious ways … some times its through one of his beautiful creatures to remind us that caring, compassion and humanity is what is truly important in life.
However, that being said their is an affection that people have with animals that also transcends other sports. There is nothing more beautiful and majestic than a thoroughbred race horse. To see one of these horses up close is to see just what beautiful animals they truly are. When we think of the Kentucky Derby, we think of Secretariat, Mint Juleps, women in hats, and last years sad and inspiring story of Barbaro. Barbaro won the 2006 Kentucky Derby and became news as it looked like we would finally have another Triple Crown winner. However, that was not meant to be as after Barbaro won the Kentucky Derby, he was hurt the Preakness and was permanently injured.
How we face adversity, whether if we win or lose is how we are remembered.Barbaro, the horse who reminded us what it meant to be human
It was at that point a horse named Barbaro went from a race horse to a national icon and became a part of all of us. In the daily struggles of our lives, Barbaro brought out the best in all of us and reminded us what it means to be human. Barbaro will always be remembered in Derby and horse racing lore. However, he touched so many others lives. Not so much for his winning, but the fight to survive. Then in the end after his long battle, his humane death. Certain stories transcend sports. They capture the imagination and consume the public consciousness. It is not if you win or lose, it is truly how you play the game and how one faces adversity. That will be remembered a life time.
Barbaro will always be remembered. What do we think of you Barbaro, We will always think of you and admire you. You are a Triple Crown winner of life … caring, compassion and humanity.
Thank you Barbaro for reminding us again that important lesson in life. Run free and unbridled forever into eternity watching over the Derby and all of us.
UPDATE I: Big Brown Wins the Kentucky Derby Going Away
Big Brown thundered down the stretch to win the 134th Kentucky Derby in impressive fashion. Tragedy also struck the Derby as the second place finisher, Filly Eight Belles collapsed after finishing the race. Eight Belles unfortunately had to be immediately euthenized as the horse broke bones in both front legs.
Filly Eight Belles breaks down after 2nd-place Derby finish
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Filly Eight Belles finished second behind favorite Big Brown in the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, then collapsed with two broken front ankles and was euthanized after crossing the wire.
UPDATE II: Hillary’s Horse
Hillary Clinton had picked filly Eight Belles to win the Kentucky Derby. Try as she might, the filly came in second; however, sadly had to be euthenized following the Derby after breaking both front ankles.
Tragedy struck the first filly in the Kentucky Derby since 1999, as Eight Belles went down on the track after her second-place finish today, broke two ankles, and was euthanized.
Showing a sisterhood with the female horse, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., during a trip to Louisville this week had said she was going to bet on Eight Belles to win, place, and show.
ABC News’ Karen Travers reports that Clinton told supporters in Jeffersonville, Ind., earlier this week, “I hope that everybody will go to the derby on Saturday and place just a little money on the filly for me. I won’t be able to be there this year — my daughter is going to be there and so she has strict instructions to bet on Eight Belles.”
Olympics in the Free & Open Rights Society of China … What a Brilliant Idea this Was … Torch extinguished amid Paris protests
Since when are Olympic ideals a lack or better yet a representation of no human rights? I guess the question today is, what are the Olympic ideals?
When the 2008 Summer Olympics were given to China anyone who had a clue just sat back and scratched their collective heads. How could a country with such a terrible record of human rights be granted such a venue as the Olympics. What did they think was going to happen? Who could not have see these protests coming a mile away?
First the protests took place in London England.
The Olympic torch relay was hit by demonstrations by Tibet campaigners as it made its way through a snowy London today.
Police made 15 arrests during the morning as protesters tried to board the official bus, to jump in front of it, to put out the torch and to grab it off TV presenter Konnie Huq during her run.
What had been billed by the organizers as an occasion to celebrate Olympic sporting ideals turned instead into a daylong contest between China’s supporters and protesters.
Now the torch comes to Paris, France and so do the protests.
Olympic torch extinguished amid Paris protests
DAVID - son Slays Goliath Again … Cinderella Davidson College & Stephen Curry Continue on their March Madness
Once again, David has slain Goliath … Davidson College has done it again. This time they knocked off #3 seed in the Midwest Regional Wisconsin, 73–56. We love underdogs and always have …
David reached his hand into the bag and took out a stone. He slung it, striking the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank deeply into his forehead, and he fell down with his face to the ground.
David prevailed over the Philistine with just the sling and the stone. (Samuel 17:1-58)
Why do we love NCAA College Basketball’s March Madness? There are 
two answers. Unlike the BCS Football Bowl fiasco that we are presented with every years where a mythical College Football Champion is crowned, college basketball presents us with a playoff system which captures the hearts, minds and imagination of all that watch. Even people who are not college basketball fans find themselves caught up in the madness. Once our own college team is eliminate or teams we have picked have lost, we become unofficial alumni of the lowest seed in the tournament. This year, we are all alumni of Davidson.
What do we love most about March Madness … Schools like Davidson. Long before our brackets are busted and there is no shot of winning any office pools, we look for the upsets. We want Cinderella to win, even if it means that any chance of winning the office pool goes down the drain. In many respects, it justifies losing. There is a new Cinderella in town and the glass slipper is on the feet of the Davidson Wildcats.
Every year there seems to be a new Cinderella at the Big Dance. This year its Stephen Curry and the Davidson Wildcats. The Davidson Wildcats not only beat #3 seeded Wisconsin last night, they handled the Big Ten Champs rather easily. The second half was no contest as Davidson outscored the Badgers, 37–20. Stephen Curry has been simply amazing as Davidson, the winners of 25 straight games, is starting to look less and less like an underdog.
Davidson started their March Madness Dance by taking out the former Cinderella darlings Gonzaga 82–76. Then Davidson defeated who many had picked to go to the Final Four, the Georgetown Hoyas, 74–70. Up next is the #1 seed in the Midwest Kansas Jay Hawks … will to Davidson miracle continue with a birth into the NCAA College Basketball Final Four.
