Racing Rivalries - Big Brown As A Modern Alysheba?

A lot has been made in the press in recent weeks about a potential match up between Curlin and Big Brown to decide who is the best horse in the world.

The idea of a rivalry between these two great horses is a bit premature in my opinion as Big Brown has yet to establish his reputation against anyone other than three year olds. Big Brown may be a great horse, however he has much to prove over the coming months to cement his reputation in racing history. Big Brown's legacy is suffering from the fact that in all of his wins, he has been so much the best horse that it's only natural to question the talent, right or wrong, of who he has been facing.

Consider the great battles between 1987 Derby champ Alysheba and Bet Twice, or the brilliant battles between Sunday Silence and Easy Goer in 1989. The stirring stretch drives of their triple crown runs did much to advance the legend of all four horses involved.



A comparison between Alysheba and Big Brown shows that both horses entered the Belmont on the verge of a triple crown. Big Brown has long been plagued in the press with regard to drugs thanks to his larger-than-life trainer Rick Dutrow. Dutrow was suspended earlier this year for use of the drug clenbuterol. Alysheba entered the Belmont having to race without lasix for the first time as it was not allowed in New York racing at the time.

Ultimately, both Big Brown and Alysheba failed in their quest to win a triple crown and as a result both horses were compared against more recent champions. Alysheba went on to face 1986 Kentucky Derby winner Ferdinand in the Breeder's Cup Classic and lost in a stirring stretch drive that will endure in the memory of racing fans everywhere.



While Big Brown versus 2007 Derby champ Curlin would make for a memorable Breeders Cup Classic, I have no doubt that Curlin would be the prohibitive favourite and cannot shake my doubts that Big Brown's three year old compatriots just don't hold a candle to the rivalling class of past Derby champs. In order to launch Big Brown into the stratosphere of legends like Alysheba, Big Brown needs to face Curlin.

The end result may not be in favour of the handsome 2008 Derby winner, but Big Brown's team should push for a match up as even a gut wrenching second will do wonders for the reputation of an equine athlete looking to get out from under the shadow of his human handlers.