Big Brown's American Triple Crown bid intensifies after Dutrow's colt blows away Preakness rivals

Victorious at Churchill Downs two weeks ago, Big Brown added the second leg of the Triple Crown in superlative style at the Maryland track, powering away to a five-and-a-quarter-length win.

The Rick Dutrow-trained winner was sharply away from stall seven and jockey Kent Desormeaux took a pull to settle his mount against the rail in third as Gayego set the early pace.

Switching wide on the run down to the home turn, Desormeaux could not have been more confident, taking a couple of long looks behind him before kicking on at the top of the straight.

Big Brown responded in style, easily pulling clear of his toiling rivals to run out a thoroughly convincing winner.

Macho Again filled the runner-up spot, five and three-quarters of a length in front of third-placed Icabad Crane.

Big Brown will now head for the Belmont Stakes on June 7 in a bid to become the first winner of all three Classics since Affirmed in 1978.

During that time six horses have claimed the first two legs of the series before falling short at Belmont but Dutrow is confident of his chances.

"He just keeps on getting better. He just keeps showing everyone he's special," said the trainer.

"Going down the backside and Kent had him three wide on the backside, I knew it was going to be over.

"He didn't get out on his belly. He should have enough left (for the Belmont).

"I'm just going to breeze him one time (before the Belmont)."

Desormeaux added: "I asked him for a stride at the corner and it was almost deja vu to the Kentucky Derby.

"I looked between my legs, under my arms, they were eight back.

"I just stopped riding, reeled him in and just made sure he didn't pull up. He just kept kicking his legs up and striding for the wire.

"He should be fine (for the mile and a half in the Belmont)."

Desormeaux will be having his second shot at Triple Crown glory with Big Brown as he was aboard Real Quiet in 1998 when the colt was just edged by a nose by Victory Gallop in the Belmont.

Big Brown, who is due to stand at Three Chimneys Farm in Kentucky when his racing career is over, is named in tribute to the United Parcel Service.

"It's just mind-boggling," said co-owner Michael Iavarone, who once worked on Wall Street. "It's the greatest experience I've ever had."