Time for horse racing to take center stage this weekend. Just like college basketball's March Madness, everyone has an opinion on who will win the Triple Crown races, starting with tomorrow's Kentucky Derby.

The favorite at the moment: ' I Want Revenge.' There are likely many teenagers who are envious of jockey Joe Telamo, who left high school three years ago at age 16 to chase a career in the saddle. He's talented, and so apparently is the horse, winner of the Gotham Stakes and The Wood Memorial.

Keep in mind: This is the biggest showcase in racing, and 20 horses (the max) are scheduled to leave from the gate. 'I Want Revenge' leaves from Number 13, so they'll be plenty of traffic to wade through.

My pick in what's expected to be a muddy track-'Advice' at 30-1 or so as I type this. He's not considered upper tier, but maybe the best of the rest. Other possibility: 'Chocolate Candy.' Mud is a great equalizer. 10 years after a surprise with 'Charismatic', perhaps I'll strike a nice payoff tomorrow. I will NEVER forget the late, GREAT Jerry Giirard's look as 'Charismatic' grabbed the lead down the stretch!

With 16 horses in double digit odds, Saturday's exotic bets could prove fruitful. Remember: Like a night out drinking with a designated driver, please wager responsibly.

Outside of the Mets, the most disappointed people in sports are ‘Big Brown’s’ handlers. Turns out the horse couldn’t cut the mustard Saturday at the Belmont. Trainer Rick Dutrow had to eat some major crow as ‘Datara’ led from start to finish.

I still thought jockey Dent Desormeaux played it smart, pulling up the horse when he felt something was wrong. You just never know in sports. It’s not like ‘Big Brown’ will be on Letterman tonight saying, “The oats and apples I had for lunch really bloated my stomach and slow me down. “

Oh well, the horse will make more money in stud fees than you or I will ever see in our lifetime. Next time, Dutrow will know to keep his big mouth shut.

I have to admit, I hope so. I’m getting tired of trainer Rick Duptrow’s act and arrogance, promising q win. Problem is, on the surface there isn’t a horse in the rest of the field good enough to get the job done. There may not even be an ‘Alydar’ to ‘Big Brown’s ‘Affirmed role. But here’s hoping that ‘Casino Drive’ can get it done.

VIDEO OF JOCKEY KENT DESORMEAUX ON THE CW11 MORNING NEWS AFTER THE JUMP >>>

Horse racing in the U.S., and in New York especially, got a big boost with ‘Big Brown’ winning the Preakness Saturday. Even without his New York connections, racing NEEDS a star-especially coming off Eight Belles death at the Kentucky Derby. For the next three weeks, you’ll be hearing stories about ‘Affirmed’ the last horse to win the Triple Crown-in 1978. I realize a mile and a half at the Belmont is a tough go. But ‘Big Brown’’s easy win at the Derby from post 20 made me rethink his abilities.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE COVERAGE ON THE 133RD PREAKNESS STAKES

There I was with friends Saturday, watching Big Brown pull away to win. I’m thinking, ‘OK, my pick (Colonel John) didn’t win - AGAIN - but winner Big Brown has some good local story angles.

Sadly, those local sidebars will have to wait. The racing community is still reeling from the death of filly Eight Belles, who finished second. The horse collapsed shortly after finishing the race. She broke her two front ankles and was put down on the track.

Almost immediately since, there’s been calls for racing to be banned, age limits on horses. (both by PETA) and increasing safety methods, such as the new synthetic racing surfaces to keep the horses safe.

No matter what side of the fence you sit on here, SOMETHING has to be done. In each of the last 4 years, a horse as been injured and euthanized (counting Barbaro in 2006 -he survived eight months after being injured at the Preakness stakes) at one of horse racing’s premier events -the Breeder’s Cup or one of the Triple Crown events.

READ MORE AND HEAR FROM EIGHT BELLES' TRAINER AFTER THE JUMP...