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Dutrow Gets Marching Orders From Big Brown

posted by John Pricci on March 21, 2008 Tags: , , , , , ,
Big Brown Readies For Florida Derby: (Photo by: Toni Pricci)Big Brown Readies For Florida Derby: (Photo by: Toni Pricci)

Anyone who has spent time around Rick Dutrow probably would agree his disposition is described best with one word: unflappable. He doesn’t rattle easily, has an easy way of moving about and answers questions in matter-of-fact style, like he‘s been there, done it.

So, will he allow his first Kentucky Derby get the better of him, is there any anxiety about the pressure cooker he’s about to enter, will it alter the confidence he has in his training program?

That would be no, no and no.

“I’m going to follow his lead,” said the trainer of Big Brown, one of the strong Florida Derby favorites, said in his stable office, Barn 22, at the Palm Meadows training center. “He’ll take us as far as we can go.”

From what he sees thus far, Dutrow believes, as does his jockey, Kent Desormeaux, who forsook a trip to Dubai for next Saturday’s World Cup festivities to ride Big Brown at Gulfstream.

Desormeaux’s agent, Mike Sellito, said it best a few weeks ago when he informed his regular customers and the rest of the racing world: “Where Big Brown goes, Kent Desormeaux will go.”

For Desormeaux on Wednesday, that meant a short trip north on I-95, west on 595, then north on Florida’s Turnpike, about 30 miles and a couple of furlongs by car from the Fort Lauderdale International Airport. He worked his Florida Derby mount five furlongs.

After working Big Brown five-eighths in a minute, like breaking so many sticks--“I told him not too fast, not too slow,”--Desormeaux got off the colt, walked into Dutrow’s office and said: “You know, the other day when he won, I was so high that I was saying crazy things, like he’s the best horse I’ve ever ridden. Now I think he really might be.”

Dutrow recalled Desormeaux’s words before showing the reporter his trainer’s log book, repeating exactly what he told the rider in response to his ‘best horse’ comment. First, some background:

Dutrow and the entire racetrack knew what he was getting even before Big Brown walked into his barn following a private purchase for a major interest in the colt. Big Brown had run exactly once, on the grass at Saratoga. He left the barrier so fast that he blew the first turn but, after settling into comfortable stride, Jeremy Rose pushed the button into the stretch and Big Brown drew off to win by 11¼ lengths.

Not long after the highly successful IEAH group outbid Darley Stable interests for Big Brown, he was turned over to Dutrow, who immediately pointed to the inaugural Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. Plans were scrapped when the colt developed a quarter crack. Back to the drawing board, Dutrow repeated the process this year but before the colt could return to the races he developed another quarter crack on the off side.

Following more rest and repair, Big Brown started shed-walking Feb. 1 until finally, on the 11th, with the crack almost completely healed, Big Brown began jogging two miles a day. Between Feb. 11 and Mar. 1, Big Brown had three workouts, all of the not-too-fast-not-too-slow variety: three furlongs, galloping out a half-mile; a half-mile, out five furlongs, and finally five furlongs, out three-quarters.

“I always thought he was better on turf but when I worked him in company and [older stakes horse] Diamond Stripes couldn’t stay with him, I knew I had a turf horse AND a dirt horse.

“He worked an unbelievable five furlongs--I couldn’t imagine he was anywhere near 100 percent--but was fit and ready to run,” Dutrow said. “I asked the racing secretary to write a race; turf, dirt, it didn’t matter. I told nobody about how I trained him. Then I called Bobby Frankel and said ‘listen to what I did, I must be crazy.’ Bobby‘s a friend and he has a way of [keeping things in perspective].”

A turf race was written for Mar. 5 but rain forced it to be rescheduled to a flat mile on the main track. After stalking a :22 4/5 and :45 1/5 pace, Big Brown easily took the lead approaching headstretch beneath a motionless Desormeaux, was six lengths in front in a twinkling and 12¾ lengths to the good at the end of a 1:35 3/5 mile.

Two starts, two wins, by a combined 24 lengths. “Mike [Ivarone, managing partner of IEAH] called the night he won. I was so excited I couldn’t talk.”

“[Big Brown] is so laid back, unassuming,” said his trainer. “He doesn’t make you pay attention to him. On the track he does what you want and we let him do what he wants. He’s starting to come around, figuring things out. Now he wants to do more but we just try to keep him in hand.”

The Florida Derby is Saturday, Mar. 29. “He’ll work next on the 25th, same thing, another five-eighths.” Dutrow is not allowing himself to become too excited, and has no interest in trying to get to the bottom of Big Brown. “I’m just trying to stay out of his way.”
  

John Pricci's full "Racing to the Kentucky Derby" blog can be found at www.horseraceinsider.com

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sripa1212

03/21/2008 10:22 pm

I find it quiet amateurish that a jock with teh trajectory of Desormeaux would say that Big brown is the best he has ever ridden...only after one race against 5 turf horses...If he is brown nosing...he is doing it with big brown...

As for Dutrow, he talks loud about his horses, he ahs done it numerous times and hence that is why in NY, his horses area alwys bet down so much even if their chances are marginal...

Either way, I hope he is as good as they say...it will be good for racing, it will be good for the sport...

patbateman

03/21/2008 10:44 pm

Desormeaux rode Fusaichi Pegasus, right? Dutrow is cool, at least on TV he seems like a character. Hopefully Tomcito lives up to all the loud talk of his connections as well.

barryrmitchell

03/22/2008 6:17 am

Okay that's it. Sripa, you are way out of line..... Amazing how you see yourself. Kent is making millions riding and providing for his family and your making what? a lot of loud noise about Tomcito who? The same for Dutrow opinions as a trainer.

You keep using the term AMATEURISH, your usages of the word are personal attacks on an individual character.. Have you ever met Kent Desormeaux or Durtow personally.

Keep your opinion to yourself when it comes to bashing a individual personal character.

I neither want to read and certainly I am not going to endorse it, "very offensive" to individuals.

Kent will make the hall of fame in his career, therefore he deserve the respect of his peers and the horse racing fans and that includes you too my friend.

DerbyFan78

03/22/2008 10:10 am

Barry - Each is entitled to his/her own opinion and should not be crucified for it. I am rather shocked by the comment, as he has ridden some spectacular horses, but who knows...he could be full of it and he could be right. I think he is an excellent rider and none of us will know what to make of Big Brown until next Saturday, as he didn't really beat much going into the race. Personally, I am looking forward to it and think he could be something special as well. Looks like it's going to be a good race.

CAMCHLOE

03/22/2008 10:56 am

I feel Big Brown is only a inch away from another booboo that puts hime back on the shelf. That isn't a horse that takes my money in May when he has a good chance of getting kicked by one of the 76 other legs on the track. Hope he stays healthy but what do I know I am just a amateur. Go get um Kent but hope Billy Mott can't read for your sake.

Cdpotato4

03/22/2008 11:43 am

haha. I love it. Derby Fever for all these young guns! Wooooooooooooooooo!

Cdpotato4

03/22/2008 11:45 am

Lane's End is wide open. But I think it may set up nicely for Cannonball. Pletcher has no shot. Look for Rhapsody flying at the end.

sripa1212

03/22/2008 12:53 pm

Barry Mitchell..

Slow down buddy. Really...Kent D has ridden some good horses in the past and that is why he is going to the hall of fame...granted...but then to say that about horse he rode once in an allowance field full of turfers in the dirt...come on? do u yourself believe it...not bashing big brown at all...he has not said a thing...he may be the real thing, but Kent D is speaking a little loud...

And Dutrow, yes I have net him and yes he talks his book or in his case his horses..that is not an accussation, it is simply the case...no harm, no offense talking your horses, that is fine to do...he just does it more than others...when have you seen Bobby Frankel make a statement like that...or Pletcher...??

As for Tomcito, win, loose or draw, he are excited to be in the derby and we will have a lot of fun...given that you dont have a horse in the derby i understand your frustuation, but leave it at home and come have a drink on me at Gulfstream...we will be at the Ten palms....hope to see you there...

sripa1212

03/22/2008 1:09 pm

Barry...

one more thing...go to www.drf.com and click on , then , under the heading "derby stakes opinions", go to where people post their comments....there you will see many opinions on the Kent D statement....

Till now I have not found two that agree with yours...sorry...still, I hope to buy you a drink come FL derby day... we latins are friendly people...

mike barker

03/22/2008 3:13 pm

Barry why you always breaking this guys ballz :) He actually is kinda right...Big Brown beats a 5 horse field moved from the turf, and now poeple are thinking hes the next SECRETARIAT i mean cmon are you kidding me... Kent hasnt been on that many good horses anyways.. Who Real Quiet, Fusaichi Pegasus....He reminds me of mike smith the only mount he ever had that made him good was HOLY BULL and he was just a passenger, all he had to do was send to the front WOW!!

mike barker

03/22/2008 3:13 pm

Barry why you always breaking this guys ballz :) He actually is kinda right...Big Brown beats a 5 horse field moved from the turf, and now poeple are thinking hes the next SECRETARIAT i mean cmon are you kidding me... Kent hasnt been on that many good horses anyways.. Who Real Quiet, Fusaichi Pegasus....He reminds me of mike smith the only mount he ever had that made him good was HOLY BULL and he was just a passenger, all he had to do was send to the front WOW!!

derbyme

03/22/2008 8:32 pm

Man, with all the passion and opinions being thrown about before entries are even drawn, it's making for one heck of a Florida Derby. I can't wait! Anyone else going to be there?

Cdspud, I gave you the super in the Lane's End, tell me ONE of us bet it! I bet both Medjool and Adriano, but didn't dabble with exotics because I was playing by phone.

Big Brown Bandwagon, your horse will probably win if he's half as talented as he looks, as the withdraw of Why Tonto makes the pace scenario even more one sided. Big Brown prolly shakes free on a speed favoring surface and isn't challenged, going to Louisville as a play against for lots of reasons, first and foremost, the War Pass argument.

Big Brown, not necessarily bred for 10f, doesn't necessarily need the lead, but definitely seems like a high strung individual who wants to go out, wing it, and do his own thing. Maybe he can relax and finish, but he seems more like one that'll try to run you into the ground in the first 6f. As many have argued against War Pass, that style rarely wins the Derby. His talent matches any, but I want to see him rate first.

No one cross entered in the Palm Beach. Watch some major contenders draw wide while Mambo Meister or someone wins a laughable Grade III. I know it's only $150K, but I don't expect it to be taxing, galloping and blasting home the last 1/4th. Actually, sets you up pretty well for a run at the $1million Arkansas Derby where a top 3 finish gets you in which means you might have to hold off Golden Yank in order to get in the Derby.

DrMax944

03/22/2008 9:29 pm

Hey, am I delusional? Hasn't Kent Desormeaux already been inducted into the Hall of Fame at Saratoga? Didn't that happen a few years ago? Back to Big Brown. Let's see if he is the second coming of Secretariat next Saturday (3/29/08) in the Florida Derby against some quality horses. War Pass failed this test; now it is Big Brown's chance to show if he is really as great as Siegel, Dutrow, and the IEAH group believe he is. And if he is, then that will make this Run for the Roses all the more exciting! I can't wait! Elysium Fields will be tracking his every stride so he will have to keep going. According to the hipe, he should win by at least 5 lengths! Let's see who wins!

Cdpotato4

03/23/2008 12:56 am

Smooth Air!!!!

I don't knw why I keep saying it though because I am losing odds on him every time.

Also I feel like everyone I pick will lose. That doesn't help it either.

mike barker

03/23/2008 10:10 am

I know one thing Smooth Air is working unbelieveable, hes dead fit for sure....Man i cant wait for the Florida Derby....Anyone else got derby fever yet, im sure you do if you really do have a passion for racing as i see alot of you do...I get chills every year when the horses come on to the track and they play MY OLD KENTUCKY HOME...I wouldnt miss it for the world!!!!....

goponies

03/23/2008 2:24 pm

Serious Derby fever here. Florida Derby is giving me something knock around in my head this week. I'm hoping against hope that the finish is such a jumble of Hey Byrn, Big Brown, Tomcito, and Elysium Fields that it takes a photo to sort it all out. I can hope, right? Sure would get the blood pumping all around. I think my head might explode. But what if we end up with say a Fierce Wind-Smooth Air exacta? Would that stir up some excitement about those two or are we back to lamenting about this year's crop of contenders? Who knows...

I'm not sure it's amateurish or suck-up of KD to make the "best horse" statement, I think he was just excited. Perfectly fine to be excited. I don't play the jockey-loves-him angle too much anyway. I remember Beyer once grumpily said that he doesn't waste time listening to what jockeys and trainers have to say about a horse unless they're saying something negative. A decent mantra. Also, KD was awful high on Stormello last year, so I will take his praise with a grain of salt regardless of his Hall of Fame status.

But all that said....GO BIG BROWN! And bring Tomcito with you! Keep it interesting.

barryrmitchell

03/24/2008 2:43 am

Yep, Mike, passion is in the air. Jockey's are pressing for mount and the owners are running their mouths, from here on out, no more baby talk.

Time for business.

slot33

03/24/2008 6:15 pm

Derby fever here! I love Derby season... everything about it. Watching the best 3 year olds, all the great preps, studying the races and stats, trying to sort it all out and pick your horse/winner. What could be better? And then discussing it all in these blogs. It's terrific,... it really is. So who's my horse? Don't know right now. Haven't settled on one yet... that's okay though... having fun trying to get there.

phil_cayla

03/24/2008 6:31 pm

I hope Kent Desormeaux is right about Big Brown. If you love War Pass you want to see Big B fail if you are againgst WP then vice versa. He will probably be one of the only hopes to create an honest pace. There are other names being tossed around, but I don't think anyone but Big B will test him for the front.

phil_cayla

03/24/2008 6:45 pm

Hey sripa, I hear Jorge Chavez will pick up the mount on Tomcito. If that is true, let's just say for the sake of argument that Chavez works him b/f the Fla. Derby and says he is the most impressive horse he has ever ridden, you would probably soak it up, and not place doubt about the truthfullness of it.
Now I have many differences of opinion with Barry, but I have to agree you talk a big game about your horse, and criticize other connections for bragging up their horses. Both Big Brown and Tomcito have great upside potential, but both have to prove they can hang with A class horses. It is kind of classless and hypocritical for connections of one horse to criticize connectins of another.

sripa1212

03/24/2008 10:20 pm

phil...

Chavez will ride the horse come saturday. he ahs been on top for two works including teh one today...and no he is not a Kent D kind of guy...he does not shoot to the stars with a horse that has yet to prove himself, as Tomcito does...and so does big brown..

Further, I dont brag up Tomcito..if you read my posts you will see that I sad clearly that he is coming in about 90% and looking for an ITM finish to be 100% for KY... Nonetheless, whether here or anywhere else in teh world he is a multiple Grade I winner at 1 1/4 and 1 1/2 miles...something no one in that field has claim to...whether it was against same of inferior competition...he won those races...

I just have to wait for saturday and win loose or draw, myself my cousins and 30 our our friends for Peru will be the loudest screaming crowd when they come down the stretch....

We will have to wait till saturday...lik they say put up or shut up...and if we fail...i will be the first to shut up !

mike barker

03/25/2008 12:02 am

GO CHOP CHOP

patbateman

03/26/2008 7:33 pm

Big Brown Elysium Fields Tomcito tri box