Big Brown joins Kentucky Derby trail

IEAH Stables, Paul Pompa Jr. et al's BIG BROWN (Boundary), who romped by 12

3/4 lengths in Wednesday's

7TH race

at Gulfstream Park, has catapulted himself onto the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail. The Richard Dutrow Jr. trainee is now a perfect

two-for-two, having broken his maiden by 11 1/4 lengths on the turf at Saratoga

in his only prior start.

Initially, Dutrow said Big Brown would go straight to the $750,000 Blue

Grass S. (G1) at Keeneland on April 12. After further discussion, the trainer

and the IEAH team decided to stay at Palm Meadows training center and aim for

the $1 million Florida Derby (G1) on March 29, according to Daily Racing Form.

"Talent like he has makes up for a lack of experience," Dutrow said. "He's

that good."

With new rider Kent Desormeaux aboard for his sophomore debut, Big Brown

stalked the pace on the outside in the off-the-turf allowance. Racing well off

the rail, he strolled to the front and won well in hand. The bay colt completed

the one-turn mile in 1:35 3/5 on the fast track.

Dutrow was ebullient and relieved immediately after the win, noting the

Kentucky-bred has been battling foot problems since joining his stable from Pat

Reynolds' barn last fall.

"I was worried all last night because he's had two quarter cracks that have

been holding him back," Dutrow said. "He breezed the other day (five furlongs in

1:00 2/5 at Palm Meadows on March 1), and when I watched him work, to me, he

just looks like an absolute freak."

In a sign of Dutrow's and Desormeaux's confidence in Big Brown, both will

stay in the United States rather than travel to the United Arab Emirates for the

Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) program taking place earlier on the morning of the

Florida Derby. One of Dutrow's hopes for World Cup night, Godolphin Mile (UAE-G2) contender DIAMOND

STRIPES (Notebook), already helped to indicate Big Brown's potential.

"I knew he was going to do great on the dirt because I breezed him with

Diamond Stripes, and (Big Brown) just carried (Diamond Stripes) around the

track," Dutrow said.

According to Gulfstream, others expected for the Florida Derby are Fountain

of Youth S. (G2) runner-up ELYSIUM FIELDS (El Prado [Ire]) and fifth-placer

GOLDEN SPIKES (Seeking the Gold); Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2) victor ANAK NAKAL

(Victory Gallop), who was eighth in the Fountain of Youth for Nick Zito; maiden

scorer DA'

TARA (Tiznow), also from the Zito barn; smashing two-time allowance winner HEY BYRN (Put It

Back); Canadian Grade 3-placed COOL GATOR (Macho Uno); and Peruvian superstar TOMCITO (Street Cry [Ire]).