You can always tell

This weekend was the Belmont Stakes, the third race of three and the third jewel in what they call the Triple Crown, that is, if one horse can manage to win all three. UPS sponsored Big Brown was the contender this year, having won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes already, he entered this weekend as the favorite to win. Big Brown was to be the first horse in 30 years to capture the Triple Crown, but instead became the first horse (ever) to have finished the Belmont dead last after winning the first two races. After a couple days and many examinations, his owners say that he is fine. As of Sunday, nothing seems to be physically wrong with him.

Perhaps he was just tired. Perhaps it was just too hot that day. Perhaps he remembered what happened to Eight Belles and had a fear of pushing himself too hard. Or perhaps he was just feeling down since they weaned him off his steroid cocktail.

Or maybe, just maybe, the filly he'd been courting cooed to him the night before the race, "If you love me, then you will lose."

"I will not lose." Muffled by his feed-bag, he argued, shocked.

"Then you do not love me," she stated flatly, flicking her finely groomed mane as she turned back to her stall.

Either way, I admit I was impressed by the power of this horse during his first two races, but it wasn't until this weekend that he actually caught my attention. It was so likely that he was going to win the race that I didn't give it the time of day. But he was so unequivocally last, and not for any reason that's clear to his many investors (read: filly), but simply because it appears he didn't feel like racing.

He just pulled up, knowing he could have won if he wanted, and went back to the stable for some oats, all the while hearing the noise that can only be made by crying, outraged gamblers flushing millions of dollars down the toilet.

As evidenced by the picture of the not-quite-winning horses above, you can always tell what position a horse was in by measuring the depth of the layer of track they're wearing when they cross the finish line. Despite being last, Big Brown was pretty clean. I admire that. My hero.

(Nikon D300, 200mm, f/5.6, 1/400, ISO 200)