Brown Backs Big Brown for Kentucky Derby

In spite of the disadvantage of starting from the far outside 20th post, UPS-sponsored Big Brown won the Kentucky Derby yesterday by five lengths, becoming the first to win from that post since Clyde Van Dusen in 1929. Second-place finisher Eight Belles broke both front-leg ankles, going down on the track minutes after the race as the horses galloped around the final turn. After being examined, she was euthanized where she lay. Dr. Larry Bramlage, the Derby's on-call veterinarian, explained that she didn’t have a front leg to stand on so that she could be put into the equine ambulance.

With the first win in the Triple Crown behind him, there are those in racing circles who say that Big Brown is such a convincingly superior racer that chances are good for him to become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978. The next leg of the Triple Crown is the Preakness Stakes, two weeks from now.

Of Saturday’s win, Big Brown’s jockey Kent Desormeaux said, "He broke listening to the crowd. He was attentive to the cheers." Desormeaux has ridden to two previous Kentucky Derby wins.

The UPS Store franchise is a major scam!! If you're interested in buying one, don't!!! RUN RUN RUN!!!! Just ask a fellow up store owner.

It was not even close. Big Brown pulled way ahead in the last half with no near challengers. In 134 years, Big Brown becomes the seventh winner of the Kentucky Derby with no losses in his racing history.

"I feel like the luckiest man alive," says jockey Kent Desormeaux, immediately after the race. In recanting the race, the jockey said that Big Brown kicked in his power after a canter during the first part of the race, but still had a full stride that didn't fully kick in. In other words, there's still more to this horse!

Sadly, second placed filly, Eight Belles, gave her all to keep up. She shattered both ankles, unheard of, and had to be euthanized immediately after the race.

For horse race lovers, USAToday features the 10 great places to watch thoroughbreds race by.There's a great action photo of the Kentucky Derby.

I don't think Santa Anita, Saratoga or others have any sort of tie into franchising though. Does horse racing have a franchisor organization like basketball or baseball? I can see it now. The National Horse Racing League has franchise owners The Irvine Equestrians race off to The Haarlem Horseplayers.