Big Brown's Trainer Makes Big Boast

When Big Brown enters the gate for the Belmont Stakes next week, one member of the crowd won't be on pins and needles: Rick Dutrow is confident his horse will win, reports USA Today. "I feel that he will do it. It's actually a foregone conclusion for me," the trainer said yesterday of his colt's Triple Crown chances.

Dutrow's confidence may be well founded: Big Brown has won his first five races by a combined, and commanding, 39 lengths. A win in the June 7 Belmont would wrap up the first Triple Crown since Affirmed became the 11th horse to take it all in 1978. "I know it's going to be a beautiful picture for us," Dutrow said.