There is little doubt that Kent Desormeaux will attempt to get Big Brown outside of horses as quickly as possible in the Belmont Stakes — exactly where the fascinating aspect of the long run to the first turn unfolds.

Only three horses in the field of 10 possess any early gas at all — Big Brown, logical pace-setter Da’ Tara, and Casino Drive. In an attempt to pin Big Brown in, will Edgar Prado stay glued to Big Brown once Da’ Tara clears, or will Kent make the first move in an attempt to get away from Casino Drive?

Fascinating stuff. Either way, given the long run and the way horses tend to hold their lanes into the turn, I see little reason Kent will be unable to get Big Brown off the fence early with little consequence — especially with the small pack that should be forwardly placed.