Betting on Big Brown to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic is a tough bet to make right now. One important factor remains to be determined before anyone should make that decision. That factor goes by the name of Curlin, the 2007 Horse of the Year and defending Breeders’ Cup Classic Champion. If Curlin’s owners decide to run him again this year, Big Brown will have to beat one of the best horses we’ve seen in years.

Big Brown was able to beat an average field in the final stages of the Haskell Invitational, but did not look like the dominant horse we saw run the first two jewels of the Triple Crown. I would find it hard to believe that he could rally against a champion like Curlin. If Curlin does not race in the Classic (he may run in the Breeders’ Cup Turf) Big Brown’s chances will improve greatly.

If Big Brown posts another big bust, will he be forced to retire?

Much of the attention at tomorrow’s $1 Million Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park will be on Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Big Brown, who makes his return to the race track after his embarrassing loss at the 2008 Belmont Stakes. The 1-2 morning line favorite, Big Brown (at least on paper) appears to be the easy pick. But ask anyone who witnessed jockey Kent Desmoreaux pull the horse back at the Belmont knows that anything can happen.

“It is a make-or-break race for sure - how can it not be?” said owner Michael Iavarone. “He just got pulled up at 1-5; if that happens again, then something is wrong with the horse, and where are you going from there?”

Desmoreaux will once again be riding Big Brown, this time from post position 4. On the inside rail is Magical Forest and to the outside is Coal Play in post 6. Trainer Rick Dutrow expects Big Brown to take and hold the lead.

“It would depend how he breaks, how they break,” Dutrow said earlier in the week. “He’s won on the lead; he’s won from off the pace. If our horse breaks good I’m sure he’ll be forwardly placed. Naturally, if he breaks bad then he’s going to have to work out a trip. It should be simple enough as long as the horse runs his race.”

Not one to put his foot in his mouth a second time, Dutrow is not guaranteeing a win when the gate swings open tomorrow at 6:14 PM EST.

“If he goes out there and runs his race, he’ll win,” Dutrow said. “If he doesn’t, he’ll get beat.”

Get all your horse racing odds here!

Big Brown is the best contender to win the Triple Crown in 30 years. Not since Affirmed did it in 1978 has there been so much hope and hype that it will happen. Big Brown won the first two jewels of the Triple Crown (Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes) in impressive fashion, leaving all opponents in the dust coming out of the final turn.

The Belmont Stakes is the longest jewel in the Triple Crown, and the extra distance will test Big Brown against horses bred for longer distances. He will have his work cut out for him going up against late bloomer and undefeated Casino Drive. Big Brown currently sits as a heavy favorite with odds of 2/7 to win.

Despite all that pressure and heavy expectations, Big Brown looks ready to join the immortals in the industry of horse racing on June 7 when he’s let loose by Kent Desormeaux and allowed to run.

Two weeks after winning the Kentucky Derby in impressive fashion, Big Brown left the other contenders in the dust at Pimlico Race Course to win the 133rd Preakness Stakes. He got out of the gate well, and ran on the rail in third place until a little bit of contact with Riley Tucker prompted Kent Desormeaux to shift him to the outside. Coming out of the final turn Big Brown easily left the rest of the field behind for a 5 ¼ length victory in 1:54.48. Only the Belmont Stakes remain for the Triple Crown.

Late finishers Macho Again and Icabad Crane were closing on Big Brown in the final stages, but his lead was too much to close over the 1 3/16 mile course. Macho Again finished in second place, a half length ahead of Icabad Crane, who closed well after running in the back of the pack.

Can Big Brown win the Belmont Stakes to take the Triple Crown? Bet on it!