Derby Fave Big Brown Saddled With Outside Post

Trainer Richard Dutrow Jr. is positive his colt Big Brown will win the Kentucky Derby, and the odds-makers agree, pegging Big Brown as a 3-1 morning-line favorite. Never mind that the colt is starting from the deadly 20th position, has had front hoof problems, and has, in Dutrow, a controversial trainer who’s been suspended multiple times for rules violations.

“He’s been good to everybody he meets,” says Dutrow. “Why should you want to take something away from him just because I’m his trainer?” Big Brown does have considerable virtues. He’s started just three races, but he’s won them all by a combined 19 lengths. “I just haven’t seen any other horse with my eyes that can beat him,” Dutrow says. “But I’m biased.” (More Kentucky Derby stories.)