Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
Voice of America is funded by the US Federal Government and content it
exclusively produces is in the public domain.
June 8, 2008

Big Brown Pulls up in Horse Racing's Triple Crown Bid 
------------------------------------------------------

http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1C92952:A6F02AD83191E160170460F7654F621130EB2FA2E66CBB22&
 
Underdog Da'Tara wins 140th running of Belmont Stakes; Big Brown slips
into what appeared to be comfortable pace in third place 
Big Brown has fallen shot of winning horse racing's so-called Triple
Crown, finishing last at the Belmont Stakes in New York. As VOA's Jim
Stevenson reports, the race belonged to an unlikely winner.

Da'Tara crosses the finish line to win the 140th Belmont Stakes in New
York, 07 Jun 2008The underdog Da'Tara won the 140th running of the
Belmont Stakes. At 38-1 odds of winning, Da'Tara set the pace out of the
gate.

Big Brown, the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner, started the long 2.4
kilometer run on the inside rail. He slipped into what appeared to be a
comfortable pace in third place. But when jockey Kent Desormeaux asked
Big Brown for more speed, the horse did not respond and he pulled up on
the final turn.

"When I got outside going into the first turn, I said 'this is is. The
race is over. I got it.' And unfortunately there were no popped tires.
He was just out of gas," he said.

Denis of Cork placed second, five and one-half lengths behind Da'Tara.
Anak Nakal was third.

Big Brown being led to the track, 07 Jun 2008In the week leading up to
the race, Big Brown was treated for a quarter crack in his left hoof. It
is not clear if it had an impact, or if the very hot weather affected
his run. 

Veterinarians on hand did not see an immediate cause for Big Brown's
last place finish and first career defeat. Big Brown is the 11th horse
to fall short of wining all three races since Affirmed in 1978. 


.