Full of Run

I am sure it will never come up. But, just in case it does, I hope somebody reminds me NOT to play poker with Steve Asmussen or Jess Jackson.

Asmussen is the master of understatement. I remember last year during the Triple Crown a reporter asked him if Curlin was the best horse he had ever trained. “That would be an accurate statement,” he replied. And as to what makes Curlin special he said, “He runs faster than they do.” Here’s a guy who I am sure is aware that he may never even see, let alone train, a horse of this caliber again. I’d be jumping out of my skin shouting from the mountain tops, and Asmussen is cool as can be.

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“He’s tired,” Dutrow said. “Look at my boy.” Then, directing his comments to the horse, he said, “I finally got you. I finally got you tired. Look at my little buddy. You kicked their ass, Brown.”

According to Bloodhorse.com, those are the words of trainer Rick Dutrow in the barn the evening of Big Brown’s recent Kentucky Derby victory. The big horse was tired, and rightfully so. He had just devastated the best horses his generation has to offer, all while making only his fourth start and doing it from the 20th post position.

A performance like that is (more…)