by Steve Bailey

If trainer Rick Dutrow had his way, Big Brown would make his try for the Triple Crown tomorrow rather than on June 7, the date of the $1-million Belmont Stakes (G1).

“It’s not a sure thing but he’s very live,” Dutrow said on Wednesday. “I wish [the Belmont] were now because our horse is fit. Time is on our side because our horse is good.”

The Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) and Preakness Stakes (G1) winner returned to the track on Wednesday for the first time since his impressive 5 1/4-length victory in the second leg of the Triple Crown at Pimlico Race Course.

The Boundary colt jogged an easy 1 1/2 miles under regular exercise rider Michelle Nevin.

“He went out and did his usual thing,” Nevin said. “He was very interested in the chickens today.”

Owned by IEAH Stables and Paul Pompa Jr., unbeaten Big Brown will make his sixth career start in the Belmont, which at 1 1/2 miles is the longest of the three Triple Crown events

Seattle Slew, who was unbeaten in nine starts after he swept the series in 1977, is the only horse to win all three races while undefeated.

Dutrow said on Wednesday that he has about 110 horses in training at Aqueduct, Monmouth Park, and Belmont Park, and admitted that virtually all of his attention has been focused on Big Brown since the colt made his first start for Dutrow in an allowance at Gulfstream Park on March 5.

“I’m glad he’s here, safe and sound,” he said. “Things just couldn’t be better with Big Brown and that’s great for me to say.

“I just want to be with him and see him. I’m not around my horses, but I know this is where I’m supposed to be. I don’t want to miss nothing here. I’ll never be able to do this again. He’s so much fun to be around.”

As many as nine horses are listed as possible for the Belmont Stakes, including unbeaten Casino Drive, an impressive 5 3/4-length winner of the Peter Pan Stakes (G2) on May 10, and Tale of Ekati, winner of the Wood Memorial Stakes (G1). Others under consideration for the Belmont are Kentucky Derby third-place finisher Denis of Cork, Grade 2 winner Anak Nakal, Coolmore Lexington Stakes winner (G2) Behindatthebar, Peter Pan third-place finisher Ready’s Echo, Preakness runner-up Macho Again, Preakness third-place finisher Icabad Crane, and Peruvian classic winner Tomcito.

Casino Drive, a half brother to the past two Belmont winners—Jazil (2006) and Rags to Riches (’07)—galloped at Belmont on Wednesday as his connections continued to consider options for a jockey for the Belmont. Kent Desormeaux, the regular rider for Big Brown, rode Casino Drive in the Peter Pan.

Nobutaka Tada, the racing manager for owner Hidetoshi Yamamoto, said Japanese, European, and American riders are under consideration, including Yutake Take, Edgar Prado, and Garrett Gomez.

“It’s up in the air,” said Tada, saying a decision would be made within a few days.

  Tale of Ekati, who finished fourth behind Big Brown in the Derby, came out of Tuesday morning’s four-furlong breeze in good shape, assistant trainer Robin Smullen said. The Tale of the Cat colt breezed a bullet four furlongs in :46.86. Smullen said Tale of Ekati is scheduled to breeze again on Monday and on June 1 before starting in the Belmont

Smullen and trainer Barclay Tagg have an interesting perspective on Big Brown’s run at the Triple Crown. In 2003, Funny Cide, now Tagg’s stable pony, was the Belmont favorite following victories in the Derby and Preakness, only to finish third.

“Big Brown is a pretty formidable character,” Smullen said. “I’m hoping for us that we run well, and win. Both Smarty [Jones in 2004] and ‘Funny’ looked unbeatable coming into it. When they win the first two legs the way they did, they look unbeatable. Maybe Big Brown is, but there’s a ton of people willing to try if he’s not.”

Steve Bailey is deputy news editor of Thoroughbred Times