Big Brown - What Could Have Been

Betty and I just finished watching the Belmont Stakes, the third crown of the Triple Crown in horse racing. Everyone in the whole world expected Big Brown, the winner of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, to win today and be the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed won it in 1978 - 30 years ago.

But, it was not to be. For some reason Big Brown didn't have it today. It was hot (about 94 degrees) and humid. The Belmont is also the longest of the three races - a mile and a half. To his credit, his jockey pulled him up when it was obvious (in his words) that "he didn't have a horse today." Initial reports are that Big Brown was not injured.

We know from our horses, Gletta and Morgunn, that some times they just have an off day - they're not at their best. That's something we accept as our horses are living, breathing beings with physical and emotional ups and downs just as we have.

Perhaps Big Brown just had an off day.

Today is June 7 and if your Birthday is today you share your day with: Anna Kournikova (professional tennis player), Prince (supposedly a singer), Ken Osmond (actor - Eddie Haskel in "Leave it to Beaver"), Liam Neeson (actor - "Schindler's List"), Tom Jones (singer), Dean Martin (singer/actor with Jerry Lewis), Jessica Tandy (actress - "Driving Miss Daisy"), and Paul Gauguin (painter).