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TRIPLE CROWN

Big Brown's Trainer Blames Jockey

Dutrow Questions Jockey's Decisions During Race

POSTED: 8:54 am MDT June 10, 2008
UPDATED: 2:31 pm MDT June 10, 2008

Big Brown's outspoken trainer, Rick Dutrow, said he feels like a "loser" and questioned jockey Kent Desormeaux's decisions on Monday, the Daily Racing Forum reported.

During Saturday's Belmont Stakes, Desormeaux eased up the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner when the rider said he felt the 3-year-old wasn't running faster when urged.

"I don't know why (Desormeaux) had to do that," Dutrow told the Daily Racing Forum.

Big Brown crossed the finish line ninth, in last place, as longshot Da' Tara claimed the victory.

Dutrow said he's been unable to find anything physically wrong with Big Brown. He said the quarter crack on the colt's left front hoof was fine and that he showed no signs of being sore.

"It was a huge race, biggest race I've ever been in. I feel like a loser right now and I don't know why," Dutrow told the Daily Racing Forum. "I know (Big Brown) went into this race unbelievable, so the rest Kent's got to answer."

Entering the first turn, Desormeaux took a hard hold of Big Brown and yanked him to the outside, bumping with Anak Nakal before finding running room outside of Tale of Ekati while Da' Tara opened up a three-length lead around the clubhouse turn.

"I'm sure he didn't have any idea what the hell was going on going into the first turn the way (Desormeaux) was switching him all over the damn track," Dutrow said. "I don't know what he was doing."

Desormeaux said Monday that his plan was go to the lead, but that Big Brown slipped coming out of the gate and that he was pinched back a length. He said that he pulled Big Brown up because he wasn't going to finish anywhere but last.

Dutrow told the Associated Press on Tuesday that he wouldn't object to Desormeaux riding Big Brown in the future, but that the decision to change jockeys would be up to the colt's owners.


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