Is Big Brown as good as Barbaro?

Those are the kind of accolades the upstart stallion is getting after running away with the Florida Derby on Mar. 29. Big Brown won by five lengths despite starting from the 12th post; in the previous four years at Gulfstream’s new main track, horses coming out of Posts 11 and 12 were a combined 0-for-29 at nine furlongs.

Barbaro won the Florida Derby from the 10-hole in 2006, then won the Kentucky Derby before breaking down at the Preakness. The comparison to Big Brown is inevitable, which is why it only took one career stakes race (plus a maiden and an allowance) to overtake Pyro and War Pass and become the 3-1 favorite in the third and final Derby Futures Pool.

Odds on the futures market were pending at press time, but Big Brown was outstanding during Saturday morning’s workout at Palm Meadows. Unless another horse comes out of the woodwork, he’s the one.

In February of 2007 the Barbaro Memorial Fund was created to raise money and awareness for research into equine health. The focus is on research into laminitis, an often fatal hoof disease, but will also include other industry charities.

Thirty-five racetracks are participating in National Thoroughbred Racing Association Charity events, and sales from (Riding with Barbaro) wristbands and corporate contributions have provided the bulk of money thus far.

In May, acclaimed artist Susan Sommer-Luara’s portrait of Barbaro was auctioned on EBay and the bidding started at $5000.

In June the foundation disbursed $150,000 at Belmont Park to two foundations; $100,000 to the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation (GJCRF) and another $50,000 to the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine’s Fund for Laminitis Research.

Contributions can be made by mail to:

NTRA Charities - Barbaro Memorial Fund
c/o Bessemer Trust Company N.A., attention Robert Elliott
630 Fifth Avenue
New York, N.Y. 10111