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Live From Churchill Downs: Meet Big Brown
I was just 3 feet away from the Jack Nicholson of horse racing. Maybe I should say the Emile Hirsch of racing as the aura is vast but the experience is not. "Big Brown" is as big a stud (Colt really) and a star as there is here in Louisville, Kentucky...after only 3 big races, he's favored to win the Kentucky Derby 3 to 1.
Sam Flood, the NBC Sports producer running the show out here for the network took me back to the stables. Multi-million dollar training stables, one after the other, it was impressive. But around "Big Brown" was crime scene tape and major security which now makes him the Angelina Jolie of horse racing.
I was star struck. The trainers let us in close enough to watch “Big Brown” walk in a slow circle around the stables...he had just gotten a bath and needed to air dry. Seriously.
"Why don't they towel him off?", some ignorant bystander says (me). "He has to completely dry" is the answer. Like if you towel off your hair, its still damp. And Brown must not be at risk of catching a cold in his stable.
Makes sense, I know.
Anyway, it was a thrill to meet "UPS" as he's been nicknamed. (What can Brown do for you?). Big Star, no publicist.
Sir,
Your Kentucky Derby Pre-Show was horrible. It took an event that is the pillar of its sport, and helps define the word "class" and turned it into a walk through the gutter. You and your team were clearly in above your heads. I'm sure the "celebrities you interviewed were as surprised to see you at the derby as I was to have you on the TV during my derby party. I'm sure you're good at pointing out the foibles and troubles of the rich and famous to those who care, but that was the wrong venue for a show such as yours. Horse racing has been called the sport of kings, please don't de-value it with your presence next year. (or even at the Preakness or Belmont)
James Gilbert
Billy did great. It was a fun show.
To the disgruntled comment from Mr. Gilbert, ummmm, have you ever been to the track? It mostly involves drinking cheap beer and gambling..yeah, the complete picture of class. A small group of extremely wealthy classy folks do own the horses, but the horse-racing industry is fraught with animal and employee abuse.
P.S...celebrities attend events like the Derby to get more press, they LOVE the red carpet attention, and if you actually watched Billy's show, you would see that most of the celebs had no clue even the names of the horses racing. They showed up to wear big hats and look good for the camera, Billy's camera to be exact.
Billy, kudos. Gilbert, get off your high horse.