What a race today! Everyone who saw the Kentucky Derby two weeks ago was very interested to see the amazing horse, "Big Brown," run once again. The horse has what appears to be limitless energy and he easily breezes down the field, bolting forward at greater speeds than his opponents, far ahead of them at the finish line.

Big Brown has an exceptionally wise jockey (and trainer--forgive me for not having their names listed here) who trust this horse's instincts and let him run free as those special decisive moments arise in each race. The jockey describes the horse as very intelligent and the television narrator followed up on that observation today, before the Preakness race began, commenting and having the camera show us how the horse suddenly stopped during his pre-race walkabout, ears straight up, intently focused on something happening off to his right. His trainer wisely let the horse stop...they "let him do whatever he wants." To me, it looked like Big Brown had taken a moment to analyze his competition, planning how he would handle things during the race. When he had summed up the situation, he turned his head forward and obligingly resumed his walk to stay limber. This is just the coolest horse ever!

The Preakness race began and we knew the jockey was concerned that this would be the first time Big Brown might have to run in a race "with dirt in his face." The other jockeys had freely commented during pre-race interviews that this was their strategy of winning: getting the famous horse "boxed in so he has dirt in his face" and would be distracted if not visually blurred. Later, someone else mentioned that Big Brown had practiced with dirt in his face already, although not in the actual races.

The jockey wisely and courageously moved Big Brown away from the rail--a bold move--when other horses started to "box him in," then he let loose and Big Brown galloped ahead with great speed, easily going around the other horses and streaking ahead all the way to the finish line! Afterwards, Big Brown's ears were still pointing straight up...he was NOT finished yet and he still wanted to run! The jockey had to work hard to rein him in and slow down. It makes me wonder just how far this horse would run if there were no limits. He seems to have boundless energy and the narrator mentioned that he did not look like a horse who had just run the race...so fresh, so ready to keep going.

It was great! What made it even more wonderful was the fact that the jockey NEVER used the whip! He had forgotten it earlier and had to return to retrieve it right before the race began. As the television narrator said, "He never needed it."

This horse is going to become a legend and I hope his owner and trainers are very careful now to have super security all around this horse and the jockey and trainers before the Belmont Race in New York. To win the Triple Crown seems VERY attainable for Big Brown and his humble jockey. One of my favorite comments from the jockey today in earlier interviews was that he could not take the credit--it was really the horse doing such great accomplishments.

I enjoy watching all of the horses...each one is special and beautiful to watch running in the sun and wind. However, Big Brown has my heart now...I am cheering him on to the Belmont for a win...our country needs a BIG WIN now and having the first Triple Crown in....was it thirty years?...is something exciting to anticipate.

Thanks, Big Brown! Tell your trainer to give you an extra bag of carrots from me and all of us who enjoyed seeing you so much today. As a shut-in, this was the BEST recreation I could have on such a delightful day. Do you sign autographs? Do you send full-size or large color posters of yourself? Smile.