What's the Big Problem with Big Brown?

- Big Brown will start from the number four post at Monmouth today, and is listed as the 2-1 favorite. I think it's a fascinating twist in the journey of this Derby winner, the first time we've seen one run on the grass in his three-year old season since Unbridled in 1990. It is of course a race worthy of some national coverage, but, coming during ESPN's puzzling September blackout of the sport it promised to celebrate when it acquired the Breeders Cup telecast rights, you'll only see it in on TVG. If you get TVG that is.

Judging from what I've seen from readers of this and other blogs, a lot of people will be rooting for the horse to fail. The invective I've seen directed at this horse's connections is something I don't quite understand. No, they certainly don't qualify for a Nobel Peace Prize (though perhaps a Medal of Freedom). Michael Iavarone built himself up in the penny stock business, an industry well-known for sleaze and deception. I have no idea, but it's certainly possible that some unsophisticated investors were hurt along the way. He got into trouble when he was in his early 20's, a relative babe in the scheme of things. He employed a trainer with a record (though Jess Jackson has not?); that after a prior one was busted. He presented a deceptive portrayal of his background to Joe Drape of the Times. Certainly not the only public figure we've seen lying of late, and with far less profound implications in this case.

However, he's built a formidable racing operation, using his business skills to attract the right investors, and what is obviously an ample talent for picking out horses as well. For that he deserves full credit. And in Big Brown, he has a charismatic Derby champ whose real potential for greatness will likely never be realized due to the economics in the industry, as well as those cranky hooves.

Whatsmore, unlike a certain other prominent owner, he hasn't become filthy rich from oil reserves for which you're paying $4 per gallon. He's never exploited poor migrant workers living in squalid conditions, hasn't compelled youngsters to be camel jockeys, and hasn't happily hosted the president of Iran. So excuse me if I root just as hard for Music Note to lose at Belmont as I will be for Big Brown to win.