Big Brown wins the 2008 Florida Derby

Big Brown went to the front right away out of the far outside post, setting a quick pace of 22.76, 45.83, and 1:10.08 while Nistle's Crunch and Fierce Wind stalked him down the backstretch. Turning for home, Desormeaux asked Big Brown for run and the favorite opened up through the stretch. Smooth Air rallied from sixth but was no match for Big Brown who cruised under the line 5 lengths ahead in 1:48.16 over the fast main track, just 0.37 seconds off the track record and the fastest Florida Derby since 1996. It was another 7 1/2 lengths back to Peruvian invader Tomcito in third, while Fierce Wind faded badly in the stretch and finished 10th.