Big Brown has to be the big favorite for this year’s Eclipse Award.

The Horse of the Year competition looks like it could be a one-horse race this year. Big Brown has won six or his seven starts, and will certainly win Horse of the Year honors if he can win the Breeders’ Cup Classic. But which other horses are in the running?

Curlin could certainly repeat as Horse of the Year if he’s able to beat Big Brown, and the rest of the field, at the Breeders’ Cup Classic in October. It would be the first back-to-back win of that title since Cigar did it in 1995 and ‘96.

Outside shots for Horse of the Year would go to either Colonel John or Benny the Bull. Colonel John is coming off a win at the Travers Invitational, and Benny the Bull has won his last five starts. Another longshot would be Proud Spell, who has four wins on the year.

Three weeks is a long wait between the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. It feels even longer this year; Big Brown appears destined to complete the first Triple Crown in 30 years, but every day is an opportunity for complications. Tomcito (50-1), for example, was pulled from the Belmont on Sunday because of congestion.

Spark Candle (50-1) will race instead in Friday’s Grade III Hill Prince Stakes, leaving a probable field of nine for Saturday’s main event. Big Brown was 1-3 at press time. Casino Drive was the second favorite at 7-2, followed by Denis of Cork at 10-1.

The official field, including post positions, will be announced on Wednesday. Big Brown had new sutures put in his left front foot on Saturday; he galloped the full 1.5 miles at Pimlico on Sunday. Denis of Cork is expected to fly in from Churchill Downs on Tuesday with Preakness runner-up Macho Again (40-1).