What horse beat the favorite Big Brown last year at the Belmont Stakes?
Big Brown straggled home last Saturday, losing the Belmont Stakes to 38-1 long shot Da’ Tara, who led wire-to-wire. Eased up in the homestretch, the 1-4 favorite was so far behind at the end that his margin of defeat wasn’t even charted. Instead of becoming the 12th Triple Crown winner and first in 30 years, Big Brown was the first horse going for a Triple to finish dead last, stunning 94,476 fans who braved the unseasonable 88-degree heat and oppressive humidity. Sources: http://sports.aol.
The race was won by Da’Tara, who led the race wire to wire. Da’Tara had 38-1 odds, making the win a monumental upset. Big Brown, the favorite who won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, finished in last place, a first for any Triple Crown hopeful. Entrants included Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Big Brown. A win by Big Brown would have marked the first Triple Crown since Affirmed in 1978. Other entrants were Derby runners Denis of Cork, Tale of Ekati, and Anak Nakal; Preakness runner up Macho Again and third place finisher Icabad Crane; and Peter Pan runners Ready’s Echo and Tomcito. The sire of Anak Nakal, Victory Gallop, is a Belmont winner, while Casino Drive has two Belmont-winning siblings. Sources: http://en.wikipedia.
In a stunning upset 2008 Belmont Stakes favorite and Kentucky Derby & Preakness winner Big Brown was handed an unanticipated defeat at the hands of Da’ Tara. In the weeks leading up to the Belmont Stakes you were hard pressed to find anyone who would bet against Big Brown. Most critics had Big Brown’s name already penned in the history books as the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978. Sources: http://www.thespread.com/sports-betting-top-stories-900/da-tara-upsets-big-brown-2008-belmont-stakes-payout-amo.
