The American Tripe Crown is regarded by many as thoroughbred racing's most prestigious prize. Three races with varying distances in a five-week span on three different tracks in three different towns is a schedule that will seriously dent the spirit of the faint-hearted. Two giant steps have been taken and Big Brown, to put it in simple terms, is another step away from racing immortality. It is the third and final bridge that needs to be crossed but what an intrigue-filled crossing it is.
 
First, there is pressure. It is just another race, after all. You use the same money to wager. Yet, in the finer sense, the Belmont Stakes, the last leg of the Triple Crown, is a race that tests the character, the courage and above all, the heart of a three year-old. The whole world is watching, History is being created and it is an event that is rare and in Big Brown's case, it is an event that has not happened in 30 years. Then there are the rigours of the campaign. 'Made of steel' would have been a hard-to-disagree description of Big Brown if one had seen him win the Derby and the Preakness. Did he win them laughing? Did he make them no contests? The quarter crack issue, despite trainer Dutrow's proclamations to the contrary, is cause for concern. Yes, if Big Brown wins the Triple Crown, he deserves more than normal credit given that he made light of his physical ailment. Finally, there is that psychological impediment. One race stands between Big Brown and a place in racing's history book but it is a contest that has taken its toll on many an aspiring and promising sophomore.
 
Big Brown drew post-1 in the ten-horse field. Guadalcanal, a maiden, and I am reiterating for the sake of emphasis, a maiden will leave from post 2. Macho Again and Denis Of Cork have posts three and four respectively. Casino Drive, Big Brown's principal danger, leaves from post five. Da' Tara has post six and Tale Of Ekati has drawn post seven. Anak Nanal comes out of post eight and Ready's Echo will be in stall nine. Icabad Crane completes the line up from post ten.
 
Other than Big Brown, only one contender has won a Grade I race and that is Tale Of Ekati who was victorious in Aqueduct's Wood Memorial. All carry 126 pounds over the 2400-metre journey. The race has a $1,000,000 purse and the winner's share is $600,000. The Belmont Stakes is the 11th race in a 13-contest programme. Post time is 6 25 P M Eastern time on Saturday. It will be 3.55 AM Sunday in India.
 
New York has had rain and the track was sloppy on Wednesday. However, the forecast is for much better conditions as the big race draws closer. Friday and Saturday will have 80-degress Fahrenheit highs and there is a possibility of isolated showers. Let us hope the rain stays away from Belmont Park.
 
Richard Dutrow showed no sign of concern, as his ‘moment in the sun’ in his training career is one race away. Talking about the post position, Dutrow dismissed it as unimportant. "I just can't see the post getting him beat. If he breaks good, it will be to our advantage. If he does not, he has plenty of time to get out of there. There is no way a post will get Big Brown beat."
 
Kent Desormeaux was short and to the point: "Obviously, I'm going to have to jockey for position but I am well-mounted."
 
Now an observation or two about the Casino Drive camp. Trainer Kazuo Fujisawa arrived in New York on Tuesday. He was on hand as Casino Drive went through his routine. There was a 60-minute walk followed by a measured gallop to the backstretch and a jog back to the track.
 
I made a mistake in yesterday's report when saying that Mr Nobutaka Tada is the trainer. He is the racing manager for Hidetoshi Yamamoto, Casino Drive's owner, Mr Tada said on Wednesday, "Casino Drive did not do more because of the track condition. We will try Thursday."
 
Edgar Prado gave nothing away when speaking about Casino Drive. "I will use American-made leather reins. In Japan, nylon reins are used and a knot cannot be made. It is like driving a new car. You put the headlights on, grab the steering wheel and hopefully there's something there when you step on the gas."
 
Jockey Prado has foiled two Triple Crown bids in this as yet young century, War Emblem and Smarty Jones. Will it be three in a row?
 
Big Brown is 2-5 in the American morning line. Casino Drive is listed at 7-2. Denis Of Cork is at 12-1 and the others at longer odds.
 
In the UK, Big Brown is a 4-9 prioposition. Casino Drive is at 11-4. Denis Of Crork is a general 9-1. In England, the odds are fixed for your wager.