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Special Performance, Special Horse

posted by John Pricci on March 31, 2008 Tags: , , , , , ,
Michael Iavarone and Team Ready For Roses: (Photo by: Toni Pricci)Michael Iavarone and Team Ready For Roses: (Photo by: Toni Pricci)

You hear the term ‘special horse’ a lot, a lot more often than you get to see one. And so we went on the road to find one and, this time, we did.

In the run-up to the Florida Derby, we knew we had to get a look at the horse that ran the fastest Equiform figure at a mile or longer by a three-year-old this year. Frankly, we were a little curious about Rick Dutrow, too.

As a prolific winner in New York, I should know Dutrow better, but I don’t. That’s my bad. Maybe it’s because I’ve been conditioned to distrust trainers who win at 25 percent or better, meet after meet, year after year.

To me, it’s not so much about super-trainers as it is about super-vets. Curiously, a trainer’s success rate falls right in line with the cost of veterinary care. The difference between a 10-15 percent trainer and a 25 percent trainer is the difference between a $1,000-a-month vet bill and a $2,500 statement.

And there’s nothing insidious about that. In life, you get what you pay for. Of greater import may be that the Rick apple, like the Tony apple, didn’t fall far from the legendary Richard Dutrow tree.

As opposed to horse trainer, Rick Dutrow is a horseman. Almost anyone can be a trainer but it takes more than a piece of paper to win three million-dollar races on two continents a half a world apart on the same day.

There’s no wagering in Dubai. Neither is there a permissive medication policy similar to the one in place on this side of the Atlantic. Drug policies are very strict almost anywhere else in the world.

Dutrow trainees Benny The Bull and Diamond Stripes, impressive winners on the World Cup under-card, ran medication free. Between those two and Curlin, American racing, despite its issues, was radiant as a beacon in the United Arab Emirates Saturday.

Diamond Stripes couldn’t warm up Florida Derby winner Big Brown in their company workout a few weeks ago at Palm Meadows. “You may not believe it but that workout meant something,” Dutrow said following Big Brown’s blow-out victory.

“Diamond Stripes is a good older horse. It takes a special young horse to do what this colt did.” And a clever horseman to be savvy enough, and confident enough in his own horse, to stay out if his way.

“I felt the only way the horse could get beat was if I did something wrong or he got in trouble,” said an emotional Dutrow after collecting his post-race thoughts. “I knew after he went around those horses on the first turn it was over.”

Dutrow wasn’t bragging. It’s not bragging if you know what your horse can do. But it’s not clear even now whether Dutrow knows what Big Brown‘s limitations are.

Rick Dutrow is in awe of Big Brown.

“Today is [the highlight of my career],” was how Dutrow described his multi-million dollar accomplishment. “I’m so excited I don’t know what to say.”

Excited like the enthusiastic crowd lining the rails at Gulfstream Park that welcomed the big colt back with hoots and hollers, and an enthusiastic Kent Desormeaux, who threw his helmet in the air in celebration and will go wherever Dutrow sends Big Brown.

Next stop Kentucky.

“He’ll stay where he is,” Dutrow said. “He likes it [at Palm Meadows]. I’ll work him five-eighths when he needs to work then, depending on the weather, I’ll make my move.”

What makes Big Brown special is his class. At one point, Big Brown reached down, grabbled the rope holding his Jolly Red, and threw the tether ball over to the visitor’s side of the webbing. It was the first time I recall seeing a racehorse act with equine body language that said ‘play with me.’ The only thing missing was Simon & Garfunkel and a transistor radio.

He’s just a love, with an easy-going class about him. People ask all the time, “who do you like?” I usually give them my standard Fotias-type response: “Ask me at three minutes to post time.” You have to be objective to do this job the right way. Big Brown wants to make you break that rule.

“When this horse reached the quarter pole in Saratoga, I picked up the phone, called Rick, and said: ‘turn on your television right now, I HAVE to own this horse. I never saw a two-year-old break his maiden around two turns like that’,” said IEAH Stable managing partner Michael Iavarone.

“He just has so much class. When we had him vetted, he stood absolutely motionless for 45 minutes while we did an ultra-sound. He let us do whatever we wanted,” added Iavarone.

Picked out as a yearling by Dr. Michael Galvin, HRI has learned that International Equine Acquisitions Holdings purchased a three-quarter interest for $2.25-million, original owner Paul Pompa Jr. retaining a 25 percent share. Darley Stable, represented by trainer Kairan McLaughlin, was the under-bidder.

Obviously, special horses don’t grow on trees.

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

Join the Discussion

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barryrmitchell

03/31/2008 8:09 pm

Hold on! STOP all the press clipping, There is a thing called Champion, and until you beat the champ head to head, your an opponent! This is why we have races called Championship!

Big Brown performance was hugh, but not the best by any means this year! Pyro last quarter is still the best performance this year thus far.

War Pass prep race, I will still content was ran in 1:34 and change, "not 1:36 as reported. My timer is extremely accurate and 10 for 10, the race was timed in 1:34 and change under a hand ride! He is the Champ with his most feared opponent PYRO waiting a rematch.

Nothing in the Florida Derby field was thought to have any class before 1 month ago.

Just because you make the line up for a 1 million dollar race, doesn't make it a million dollar race. As previously commented, the field had no quality and their performances justified my comment. All competitors finished a 1 1/8 in 1:50 and change. This was an Allowance race at best with only one horse standing out.
Thirteen Lengths between the first three horse in a million dollar race is not suppose to happen, unless the competition is below the mark.

So I believe the race was below class and therefore Big Brown has yet to face the best of his class. He is still an unknown factor if looking eye to eye or with dirt in his face.

Edge to Pyro and War Pass second, because of the pressure from Big Brown early.

patbateman

03/31/2008 8:28 pm

Yeah Barry Pyro is a nice horse, but so is Big Brown. Just because he wasn't a household name at 2 years old doesn't make him any less talented than he showed Saturday. War Pass hasn't exactly faced superstars this year himself, and his confidence may be shaken and his smaller size makes him less able than Big Brown to handle some bumps, dirt and traffic. I think Big Brown and Pyro are this year's Street Sense and Curlin. I think War Pass is this year's Stormello.

mike barker

03/31/2008 10:43 pm

Eat Pyros Dust :) Brisnet gave Big Brown a 110 WOW

barbeach

04/01/2008 12:33 am

So Barry, are you saying that if you beat the Champion head-to-head, you are now considered a champ? If that is true then Big Truck, Atoned, Dynamic Wayne, Make Me Zach, Cigar Man, and yes, even Gentleman James are champions? Thing is Big Brown wont pressure War Pass early in the Derby, Dutrow has already said so. He wants to be 4th or 5th, just behind the early speed so he can punce when they get tired. He will get first run on Pyro and the rest and be long gone. I just hope he is healthy enough to get there. Thats the only concern. Good luck to you and I hope you dont bet him so I get better odds.

CAMCHLOE

04/01/2008 10:29 am

do you get to eat a rose off of the winners back in May for running a 110 in March
three liftime races does NOT win the Kentucky Derby, just ask the super horse Curlin , he will tell you that. As a matter of fact the best horse often doesn't win this demolition derby, just ask Empire Maker or Point Given.

barryrmitchell

04/01/2008 10:56 am

No Barbeach, that was not the logical statement presented. You missed the word, "Championship" like in championship day, Kentucky Derby day?

Many horses loses their preps for one reason or another, but when does it hurt the most is on Championship day!. So War Pass is still consider the Champ, till he loses in the most prestigious event for three year old. The Kentucky Derby.

Now back to Big Brown, I believe the race should not be missed judged.
The track was playing extremely fast i the late afternoon.

Take notice the final race (12 race) of the day, a new track record at the same distance (1 1/8). By a less than caliber horse. 1:47 and change.

When the last time you have seen two horse flirt with the track record on the same card, if the surface is producing legitimate times?

Big Brown may appear to have produce a tremendous race, and I agree he is way above the filed that day. But you do have to evaluate the field and the pressure points during the race. His nature speed allow him not to be pressure and the horse was not rated down the back stretch. So the trainer is already saying the horse will rate off the pace in the Kentucky Derby? yet to be seen!

Interesting, no where was it printed, The final race of the day set a track record at the same distance, would this not tarnish Big Brown accomplishment?

Dennis of Cork race look awfully good, El Gato Malo winning race look just as equally good.

Pyro last quarter race is still the most electrifying race thus far!

Pyro and War Pass is still the head of the class and nothing thus far has pierced their armor! I don't see anyone shaking in their boots.

FASTLANE

04/01/2008 2:11 pm

Spelling and grammer can make one so much more potent with their comments...

FASTLANE

04/01/2008 2:12 pm

:) This is going to be a fun 33 days!!!!!!

FASTLANE

04/01/2008 2:15 pm

grammar is one of the most mis-spelled words along with vacuum. However, you're and huge are usually not on the list....

Cdpotato4

04/01/2008 4:18 pm

haha. I love you Barry, but you must have had a Southern education

Cdpotato4

04/01/2008 4:26 pm

Nowhere was it printed that the final race of the day set a track record at the same distance...because it didn't.

Electrify was 6 100ths off the track record set by Brass Hat.