A Triple Crown in the Near Future?

At about this time next Saturday, the Belmont Stakes will be over. Will Big Brown win it and become the first Triple Crown winner in 30 years?

David Steele of the Baltimore Sun was wondering, a mere two days after Big Brown's triumph in the second jewel of the Triple Crown, the Preakness, if by winning the thoroughbred trifecta, Big Brown "will elevate the sport beyond all its issues."

A Triple Crown for Big Brown, Steele writes, "would mean everything to the business ... No more almost-stars -- let's have a real superstar, on the level of Secretariat and Seattle Slew and Affirmed (and Alydar, more of a legend as a runnerup than nearly every winner since his duel with Affirmed in 1978)."

We should have an answer in another week, even though it may not be the answer horse racing fans want.

According to Christine Brennan in USA Today, "that steroid thing" might mean the dreaded asterisk for Big Brown if he wins the Triple Crown.

We'll find out a lot next weekend.