ELMONT, N.Y.-- --Michael Iavarone's curiosity got the better of him, and when he saw a group of reporters assembled at Belmont Park yesterday, he immediately knew the object of their attention. So en route to visiting his own horse, the celebrated and sanctified Big Brown, Iavarone made a quick detour and parked his white Mercedes in front of Barn 17.
"This is the first time I've put my eyes on him," Iavarone said shortly after stepping out of his car. "He's a good-looking horse."
All eyes were directed at the large chestnut colt named Casino Drive, considered the top threat to spoil Big Brown's Triple Crown coronation in tomorrow's Belmont Stakes.
"He's clearly the intrigue in the race," Big Brown's owner said.
Interestingly enough, it would benefit Big Brown if Casino Drive, a Japanese-owned horse with peculiar training habits and only two races under his belt, can put together a good race tomorrow - but not too good.
The measure of a champion is winning. The measure of greatness, however, is competition. This is why a strong run by Casino Drive could go a long way toward validating Big Brown's proper place in history.
From almost the second Big Brown took the lead in the Preakness, there have been those who've opted to decry the current crop of 3-year-olds rather than sing Big Brown's praises. The idea being that, of course, Big Brown is the first across the finish line; the others can barely walk and chew hay at the same time.
"It's not his fault," Iavarone said. "I don't know how good this crop is. I don't think anybody does yet, because Big Brown has pretty much dominated the crop."
Because Big Brown will be rushed into the breeding shed, you can count on one hoof the number of races he has left in him, which means, win or lose, tomorrow will be the defining moment. Though a win of any margin earns him the Triple Crown - the sport's first since 1978 - winning against a formidable foe could vault his name into conversations involving the other greats, the Man o' Wars and the Citations and the Secretariats.
The last Triple Crown winner, Affirmed, had a formidable rival in Alydar. War Admiral had Seabiscuit. Heck, outside of horse racing, Magic had Bird. Ali had Frazier. Evert had Navratilova. Each was made better because of the quality of competition. Each is remembered because of the challenge and the challenger who was overcome.
Big Brown can certainly win the Crown without such a test; the jewels just won't shine as bright.
