What they saw was a colt who defied Derby history with his 43/4-length victory a day earlier. Big Brown became the first horse since the filly Regret in 1915 to win the Derby off just three career starts and the second to win from post position No. 20.

"I don't know who's going to beat him," said Graham Motion, who trained 19th-place Adriano. "To win off three starts . . . even Curlin could not do that."

Next up is the Preakness on May 17 against a slew of well-rested competitors since Big Brown has scared off virtually all of his 19 Derby rivals.

"He'll go to the Preakness as one of the most overwhelming favorites," said trainer Nick Zito, whose Derby horses finished seventh and 15th, respectively. "You can't say enough good things. He was tremendous."

Big Brown accelerated to the lead at the top of the stretch and was never challenged while putting away the rest of the field with an explosive finishing kick under jockey Kent Desormeaux.

Big Brown trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. was overwhelmed by 48 text messages and 29 voice mails congratulating him on his first Derby victory. "I don't return any of them," he said, smiling.

Dutrow had pretty much guaranteed Big Brown's Derby win, but he was subdued a day later while considering the two-week gap between the first two legs of the Triple Crown.

"I can't stand it, but it doesn't matter because we've got to do it," he said outside the Churchill Downs barn where Big Brown will train until shipping to Baltimore's Pimlico on May 14.

"I'm kind of worried. You've got to come right back off that huge, huge race. I know it looks like he's the best horse, but Pimlico's a different game."