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Sweet Spot May Be Big Brown's Key

White dot may hold answer to amazing colt's victories

By Doug Sweeney,  Newser Staff

Posted May 22, 2008 12:08 PM CDT
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(Newser) – There is something unique about Big Brown, and it’s not just his decimation of the fields at the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness. It's a silver-dollar sized white spot at the top of his left front leg. “Some good horses have something about them that's totally different from other horses. … It’s their X factor," the Irish-born trainer who broke Big Brown as a yearling tells Sports Illustrated.

Big Brown was not highly-acclaimed when he was born, and passed through several different hands until he startled his trainers late in 2007 with some remarkable workout times. Now the colt sits a Belmont victory away from racing immortality. "You believe," says the Irishman, "that the spot was placed there by the hand of God."

Kent Desormeaux looks back to check on the field as he takes Big Brown down the stretch before winning the Preakness Stakes horse race at Pimlico Race Course, Saturday, May 17, 2008, in Baltimore.
Kent Desormeaux looks back to check on the field as he takes Big Brown down the stretch before winning the Preakness Stakes horse race at Pimlico Race Course, Saturday, May 17, 2008, in Baltimore.   (AP Photo/Jim Dietz)
Preakness and Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown is escorted by his groom Herasmo Gonzalez, arrives at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., Monday, May 19, 2008.
Preakness and Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown is escorted by his groom Herasmo Gonzalez, arrives at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y., Monday, May 19, 2008.   (AP Photo/Ed Betz)
Kent Desormeaux rides Big Brown across the finish line to win 133rd Preakness horse race at Pimlico Race Course, May 17, 2008, in Baltimore. The white dot is visible just below his jockey's foot.
Kent Desormeaux rides Big Brown across the finish line to win 133rd Preakness horse race at Pimlico Race Course, May 17, 2008, in Baltimore. The white dot is visible just below his jockey's foot.   (AP Photo/Rob Carr)
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Trainer doesn't mind spotlight on Big Brown
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