Preakness 2008: The Overshadowing of Big Brown

It’s impossible to deny that the heartbreaking loss of Eight Belles in the Kentucky Derby two weeks ago casts a dark pall over the remaining Triple Crown races this year. Her trainer, Larry Jones, has not only admitted that his marriage is in trouble after the loss (his wife adored the filly) and calls it the biggest tragedy and heartbreak in his life. The sport is once again finding itself with uncomfortable questions needing answers, and not just from the wackjobs at PETA: fans and those involved in the sport want answers and action, too.

At the same time, Big Brown delivered a tremendous victory on Derby Day, not even breaking a sweat as he crossed the finish line. That, my friends, is something I don’t recall seeing very often, and not after a stretch move like the one Big Brown made. You want a dominant victory? He provided it. The handsome colt looks better and better. Could Big Brown be the first horse in 30 years to win the coveted and difficult-to-win Triple Crown? Could he join the golden ranks of horses like Secretariat, Seattle Slew, Citation, Whirlaway, War Admiral, Affirmed, and the rest?

We won’t know until later this afternoon. But the weather at Pimlico is clear and warm (unlike the rest of the country) and the crowds are waiting to see if there’s a real chance history could be made the first weekend in June.

I’ll be here during the day covering the races and other events live. I’ll also be at my new digs, available to a select few who can get the information here. Stay tuned…it’s doubtless going to be an interesting day.

The liveblogging, provided by CoverItLive, is here. See you there! You’ll be able to chime in, chit chat, and perhaps we’ll even have a poll or two.