Big Brown's Winning Margins
Colt Joins Sir Barton, Other Triple Crown Champs in Records and Wins
Big Brown's records are growing along with his celebrity. His Derby and Preakness winning margins match those of Sir Barton and other Triple Crown greats.
Big Brown (5-0) has achieved winning margins in his two classics that compare favorably to those of Sir Barton, the first Triple Crown winner (1919), and other TC champions. Sir Barton entered the Kentucky Derby as a non-winner, equally as inexperienced as Big Brown.
BB's Records, Win Margins Growing
BB's records continue to soar. He's just the second Derby winner to win from Post 20. He won the Derby with inexperience clinging to him like a wet saddle blanket, yet he became the second colt in Thoroughbred history to capture the Run for the Roses with just three previous starts. He's the third unbeaten Derby winner in the last five years, but only the seventh undefeated horse in the history of the race to win it.
Sir Barton took the Derby by 5 lengths over his favored stablemate, Billy Kelly. Four days later, he won the Preakness by 4 lengths after being eased up from a 6-length lead. Big Brown cantered to the Preakness title after a huge acceleration to win by 5-1/4 lengths. In the Derby, a similar acceleration allowed BB to win driving, 4-3/4 lengths ahead of the nearest competitor.
How BB's Winning Margins Compare to Other Triplers:
Gallant Fox (1930) --- Kentucky Derby, won by 2 lengths over Gallant Knight (not related); Preakness Stakes by 3/4 length from Crack Brigade; Belmont Stakes by 3 lengths past Whichone. Note: The Preakness was run first on May 9, the Derby, eight days later.
Omaha (1935) --- Derby, 1-1/2 lengths over Roman Soldier; Preakness, 6 lengths past Firethorn.
War Admiral (1937) --- Derby, 1-3/4 lengths over Pompoon; Preakness, by a head past Pompoon.
Whirlaway (1941) --- Derby, by 8 lengths; Preakness, by 5-1/2 lengths.
Count Fleet (1943) --- Derby, by 3 lengths over Blue Swords; Preakness, by 8 lengths past Blue Swords.
Assault (1946) --- Derby, by 8 lengths over Knockdown; Preakness, by a neck past Lord Boswell.
Citation (1948) --- Derby, by 3-1/2 lengths over Coaltown; Preakness, by 5-1/2 lengths from Vulcan's Forge.
Secretariat (1973) --- Derby, by 2-1/2 lengths over Sham; Preakness, by 2-1/2 lenths past Sham.
Seattle Slew (1977) --- Derby, by 1-3/4 lengths over Run Dusty Run; Preakness, by 1-1/2 lengths past Iron Constitution.
Affirmed (1978) --- Derby, by 1-1/2 lengths over Alydar; Preakness, by a neck past Alydar.
Can Big Brown, the big brown colt named for UPS's "brown," add to his growing legacy in the Belmont Stakes and become the 12th Triple Crown champion? The Belmont in Elmont, New York is scheduled for June 7.
