“I don’t know whether Secretariat can stay with him or not,” she said. “I won’t speculate how that would come out, because we haven’t seen him at that long a distance. But you have that big sweeping race track. I think he’s going to do just fine.”

Big Brown tied for the fourth-lowest payoff in Preakness history with Native Dancer in 1953. Sent off at 1-5 odds, he paid $2.40, $2.60 and $2.40. Macho Again returned $17.20 and $10.40, while Icabad Crane paid $5.60.

Racecar Rhapsody was fourth, followed by Stevil, Kentucky Bear, Hey Byrn, Giant Moon, Tres Borrachos, Yankee Bravo, Gayego and Riley Tucker.

In the Derby, Big Brown started on the far outside of 19 horses and used an explosive finishing kick to win by 4¾ lengths, the tightest margin in his 5-0 career. He’s won those races by a combined 39 lengths.

The muscular colt joined Majestic Prince (1969), Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew (1977) and Smarty Jones (2004) as undefeated Derby and Preakness winners.

Horses that have won both Kentucky Derby and Preakness (x-won triple crown). 2008 — Big Brown 2004 — Smarty Jones 2003 — Funny Cide 2002 — War Emblem 1999 — Charismatic 1998 — Real Quiet 1997 — Silver Charm 1989 — Sunday Silence 1987 — Alysheba 1981 — Pleasant Colony 1979 — Spectacular Bid 1978 — x-Affirmed 1977 — x-Seattle Slew 1973 — x-Secretariat 1971 — Canonero II 1969 — Majestic Prince 1968 — Forward Pass 1966 — Kauai King 1964 — Northern Dancer 1961 — Carry Back 1958 — Tim Tam 1948 — x-Citation 1946 — x-Assault 1944 — Pensive 1943 — x-Count Fleet 1941 — x-Whirlaway 1937 — x-War Admiral 1936 — Bold Venture 1935 — x-Omaha 1932 — Burgoo King 1930 — x-Gallant Fox 1919 — x-Sir Barton

The victory put the sport’s focus back on racing after two weeks of frenzied debate about safety and breeding following Eight Belles’ catastrophic breakdown. His dominating performance came in front of a crowd that surely breathed easier after all 12 runners returned safely. On the same track just two years ago, Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro broke down early in the race.

The Preakness win also means Big Brown’s connections — Dutrow, Desormeaux and principal owners Michael Iavarone and Richard Schiavo who once worked on Wall Street — are headed back to their New York base with a horse that could make history.

It was an especially meaningful trip to the winner’s circle, since Dutrow had accompanied his late father, respected trainer Richard Sr., on past Preakness days before the two fell out over the younger Dutrow’s drug use and blown chances. In the past, his training license was revoked for personal drug use and he was suspended for doping horses.

The Preakness was also a homecoming for Desormeaux, the Cajun jockey who launched his career in Maryland in 1987. Cheering him on were his wife, Sonia, and two sons, including 9-year-old Jacob. The boy was born with Usher syndrome, a genetic disorder that stole his hearing at birth and is slowly robbing him of his sight.

In the winner’s circle, Jacob said to his mother, “I wish Daddy would buy Big Brown. Mom, can we buy Big Brown?”

Big Brown earned $600,000 for the win and boosted his earnings to $2,714,500 for Iavarone and Schiavo, co-owners of IEAH Stables, and Paul Pompa Jr. Pompa named Big Brown in honor of UPS, a major client of his Brooklyn trucking business.

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The festive mood at Pimlico after the race was in sharp contrast to the scene at Churchill Downs two weeks ago. Eight Belles, the filly who took on 19 colts and finished second, broke both front ankles while galloping out and had to be euthanized on the track, the first time that has happened in the Derby.

It was the second time a horse had broken down in the past five Triple Crown races. Barbaro shattered his right rear leg shortly after the start of the 2006 Preakness. Many in the grandstand cried that day at the sight of the Derby winner taken away in an ambulance. Barbaro was euthanized eight months later because of laminitis, an often fatal hoof disease.

There was no sadness Saturday, only giddy anticipation that racing might see a Triple Crown winner at long last.

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