2008 Belmont Stakes

Da'Tara upsets the Belmont Stakes as Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown is eased in the stretch on Saturday, June 7, 2008.

[@mhcblues22]

My mom had $50 to win on Da'Tara. She Won a total of $1975.

[@DanielSong39]

I'm shocked by the number of people who are blaming Kent for this performance. By the time he pulled up Big Brown, he was about to be passed by every horse in the field and he wasn't going to finish anywhere but last. The bigger concern is that Big Brown looks uncomfortable and rank early. He was clearly not himself on this day and it showed up in his performance.

[@Kurplutzo]

This horse made my day. I didn't know anything about horseracing either lol!

[@joefederico]

Let's get real here folks. Da Tara was a decent horse who got away with easy fractions against a bad crop of 3 year olds, save Big Brown, who just didn't have it that day. Kent caught flak for not trying to ride him out but I think he sensed it and never pushed him. If you look at BB's Haskell win later I think it indicates the horse had some physical ailments as that victory was not impressive at all.

[@LordxErick]

I'm sorry for what happened to Big Brown, but Alan Garcia just proved the best jockeys come from Peru. He was so clever to take the lead after breaking because he knew Brown could not handle the distance. Arrina Peru.... we all are cheering from here!

[@WSBT960]

The more I look at this video, the more it looks like Big Brown was about to blow the first turn.

[@BE109]

This race was not fixed as far as I'm concerned,period!

[@joeyjr6690]

Man that race was awesome I had the 6 in there but to bad for big brown

[@bnegs521]

Watch the derby Kent took him right to nearly the front in the derby when he started from the 20 post! The pace in this race was not fast at all so what's your point. He sat behind Da'Tara and Anak Nakal two horses he should have had no problem sitting behind. He was just rank as could be and he had a 1/4 crack and 3 racesin six weeks was just too much. There's a reason why there hasn't been a triple crown in over 30 years now! It is tough to do in case you haven't noticed.

[@101jumpergirl101]

soo sad tht big bronw cracked his hoof i was sooooooooooooooo sad he and Zenyatta r my fav racehorses and i have to find out about ill have another

[@BE109]

I respectfully disagree with your asessment that Kent let him run too hard. He was on a very rank horse the first 3/8 or so. He was fighting the jockey,he had his head up,his mouth open,and he damn near ran into the heels of the horses in front of him. Kent had his feet in the dashboard,as the old saying goes. He did a good job of actually getting him to relax by the time they entered the backstretch. He was doing everything possible to slow him down.The horse was rank,no more no less.

[@nvrlose37]

what are you talking about, I wasn't talking about the crack bothering da' tara, I said it bothered Big Brown. And he probably could have finished the race but he would have finished maybe 8th of 9, and that wouldnt have been worth it now would it?

[@clutchjohnson1]

dude fuckin watch all of big browns previous races. He wins them all by atleast 10 lengths. Something was wrong this day whether it was a preparation mistake or the thing on its hooves came loose and jammed into his foot everytime he took a stride. Undefeatedbefore this race he would be able to take any horse anytime anywhere in a clean race.

[@Wshr]

If I'll Have Another wins the belmont, all this will be erased (this isn't as bad as real quiet)

[@bnegs521]

Big Brown did win the first two legs of the triple crown. You do know that right? It was a weak year for three year olds though. I will give you that.

[@westxlcr]

@ewd76 Yeah it was. Da'Tara was moving like a train the whole time.

[@marissaaah]

this is pretty much already erased and even if I'll Have Another doesn't win it will still be erased... but nothing compares to Real Quite's belmont. That was just depressing to see.

[@4orrcountry]

Marissa N Depressing? Without a doubt, the '98 Belmont Stakes was one of THE single most exciting races in U.S. history! Too bad for Real Quiet's TC, but he couldn't quite hold off the two nostrils that he lost by to a stretch-driving Victory Gallup. When they hit the line, the roaring crowd of 80,000 fell instantly "quiet" - nobody could tell who had won. A true photo-finish!

[@mrbond590]

The Future Star Alan ( Attorney General ) Garcia, This Jockey Is A Real Good Rider

[@4orrcountry]

No conspiracy, no bad ride by Desormeaux. Yes, BB was indeed rank but he was nevertheless in good position on the turn for home, right? Somewhere on the turn for home, BB partially threw a shoe on his left rear hoof. And NO horse can run with a shoe dangling from one its hooves!

[@horsejumperlvr]

Their running him in the Breeders Cup

[@mikes6925]

It was sooo hot that day

[@Funny1991]

SWEET MY FAMILY WON

[@QBCNetwork]

Another tragedy since Barbaro's fall in The Preakness. Jimmy Carter's still on the throne when the last Triple Crown winner happened.

[@scottsmyluver24]

baybe Nicanor can do it next year;) well De tata ran a great race, i dought the cracked hoof had anything to do with BB.

[@Vydio]

I thought football fans were vicious Monday morning quarterbacks, till I saw some of the remarks about Kent Desormeaux. Can you imagine if he'd push Big Brown and another tragedy like Eight Belles had occurred? "Desormeaux runs horse to death ....."

[@bnegs521]

Yeah just like he choked this year on Summer Bird huh? Big Brown had nothing for this ride and there was nothing KD could do. Big Brown was fatigued and didn't get his usual shot of steroids. I want you to tell me in detail what you so are sure was wrong with his ride.

[@Rimfaxe96]

Looked Da Tara up and apparently the horse only won 2 races in his career/so far?! I know that even "outsiders" can win, but what the hell? Not believing in any betting conspiracies though. The money the owners would have made when setting Big Brown up for stud - the first Triple Crown winner in 34 years back then - would always be more than what they'd have gotten from any bet barons. The ride didn't look very smooth overall though.

[@TravisVOX]

Casino Drive might have won this race by 10+ lengths.

[@italianbro1234]

@GBeret83 I agree completely... And then this year was just another triple crown thrown away... I thought fkr sure with 200 yards that animal kingdom would win... If Uncle Mo was healthy and ran in the derby i really thought he would have had a shot at the TC this year.

[@GBeret83]

Looking back on this race, I'm still undecided if it was actually Big Brown or Kent Desormeaux that just didn't want to put forth the effort in the Belmont Stakes on the day? What's ironic is that of the three Triple Crown field's that Big Brown faced in 08', the Belmont was the weakest field of the 3, IMO. If Big Brown had run like he did in the Derby and Preakness in this race? He would've run Da'Tara off his feet. Smarty Jones should've won the T.C. in 04', Big Brown in 08'. JMO.

[@4orrcountry]

GBeret83 Big Brown had been running on a repaired cracked hoof when he won the Preakness - and partially threw a shoe as he went into the far turn in the Belmont (I have photos to prove it). No horse could WALK under those conditions, let alone run - so this was not the jockey or the trainer's fault.

[@3dog9ty]

Well that's just horse racing. Not Big Browns day that's all. Problems arise in races, it's really nobody's fault much of the time. That's why there is never a good reason to bet a horse into oblivion, even the triple crown. At even money I probably would have bet Big Brown but as it was, I just watched this one. And wasn't a bit surprised the race was a gate to wire job by a 38-1 shot. That's racing. He was a great site on the track though. Sure put 'em away in the Derby.

[@JennaDelRey]

this announcer was amusing :)

[@saveus228]

it also marked 45 days since his last steroid injection from Dutrow. Who took the horse off roids after April 15th due to criticism.

[@cforestmills]

the steroids had nothing to do with BB's performance. Ever. They allowed the horse to repair quicker from work.

[@grgoldner]

I just went back and watched the 2008 Derby. Big Brown (with that choke loser Kent D.) was fifth/ sixth (well off the pace) for 3/4 of the race. He won for fun because he was rated. I'm only responding back because you make yourself sound like you know what you're talking about. I am hear to tell the world......you don't.

[@Lev3]

at :18 seconds, excuse me

[@luckyandtony]

I'll admit it, I did not want Big Brown to win. I wanted Casino Drive to win, but since he was scratched, I wanted Da' Tara. (Who I liked in a race on Preakness day!) I said to my friend, "Something's wrong, Big Brown isn't usually up this far. He's normally back in 5th or 6th." I was shocked when the jockey pulled him up, but it was the right thing to do. GO DA' TARA!

[@grgoldner]

Your nuts- Kent D. worst ride I ever saw with Big Brown but I'm glad- I hit the tri becuase I knew Kent D, would choke.

[@rugger104]

It was embarrassing

[@ms_scribbles]

I grew up in horse racing and I've watched horse races all my life. From the horse's behavior, the crack was not likely to have been bothering him. I think the issue is that the jockey let the horse run too hard in the beginning of the race and didn't make him hold back. I also think that pulling him back in the home stretch was fear brought on by the psycho PETA people. I think you might see this more often in the future from jockeys that know their horse isn't going to do well in the race.

[@cforestmills]

StormWolf, I believe you when you say you grew up in horse racing. I also know that people can be around things their entire lives, and still not learn a single damned thing about any of it. I believe you display this phenomenon of mediocrity quite well.

[@grgoldner]

Big Brown never had a chance in this race because of Kent D. First, he took him out for the lead when this horse never went to the front in any of his previous races. Second, he almost clipped heels with Da Tara and fell. Third, he got hemmed in on the rail at the 1st turn where he had to pull him up. If he had rode this horse like he did Summer Bird, Big Brown would have won. Terrible ride, face it-

[@Caroni100]

Da´Tara (April 26, 2005 - ) * Sire: Tiznow * Grandsire: Cee´s Tizzy * Dam: Torchera * Damsire: Pirate´s Bounty * Sex: Colt * Breeder: WinStar Farm * Owner: Robert LaPenta * Trainer: Nick Zito * 19 Starts * 2 Wins * 5 Seconds * 3 Thirds * $ 743,090 earned Da´Tara (26 de Abril, 2005 - ) * Padre: Tiznow * Abuelo materno: Cee´s Tizzy * Madre: Torchera * Abuelo materno: Pirate´s Bounty * Sexo: Potro * Criador: WinStar Farm * Propietario: Robert LaPenta * Entrenador: Nick Zito * 19 Salidas * 2 Primeros * 5 Segundos * 3 Terceros * $ 743,090 producidos

[@ghostzapper2006]

Big Brown was rank because he got some dirt in his face. That's why DRUGtow chose the 20 post in the Derby, he knew this horse couldn't handle dirt or traffic issues. After that 1st 1/4 mile he spit the bit. His quarter crack was an extrememly minor one, not major at all. Touch Gold won the 1997 on a quarter injury that on a scale of 1-10 was probably about 8 grades worse. Big Broen got exposed and this horse should not even think of taking on Curlin who would eat his lunch any day.

[@ftechone]

Id bet money he either a-fib'd or bled....

[@sehoujay]

Apology Accepted!

[@Lev3]

this race was FIXED and thats BS. The heat didn't affect any other horses. save it. With Casino Drive dropping out of the race, all bets were on BB. Who would have bet BB would finish last?? There's no way a horse who wasnt even whipped at the preakness and waltzed into the finish "had nothing left in the tank" give me a f***ing break. If the race wasn't fixed the only other reasonable explaination would be at 0:36 seconds it looks like BB was kicked by Da'Tara and that could have done it...

[@bleedthefreak19]

LOST MY ASS ON THIS, THANKS TO THE BIG FIX!! PLAIN TO SEE!!

[@bnegs521]

No sir. He had nothing to do with that loss at all. Horrible comment by you actually. Kent got his this year. Summer Bird.

[@horsejumperlvr]

if you watch the race closely Big Brown is fighting Kent the WHOLE mile. Kent did the right thing by pulling him up. Big Brown was there at all. When Kent asked him to open up he didn't go forward and Kent made a comment after the race saying that Big Brown is the best horse he's ever ridden so he took care of him.

[@charlescardon]

He should had finish the race...

[@BE109]

It is very funny how people who have never ridden a horse can yap about a horrible ride. You people can't even recognize it was the HORSE who was rank and Kent was doing everything possible to get him to come back to him. Don't even try to tell me you have rode a racehorse,because if you did you would know exactly what I am talking about when it comes to a RANK horse!! LOL!!!!!!!!

[@PlaYah1979]

He was ranked cause Kent drove BB up Datara's azz....So it was a bad drive!!!!

[@skillz91745]

horrible ride by Desormeaux

[@4orrcountry]

Nope. BB PARTIALLY threw his left rear shoe on the turn for home - and NO HORSE can run on a hoof that has a shoe dangling from it.