Big Brown easily ran by the tiring pacesetters and took over the lead inside the 1/4 pole. He opened up a 5 1/2 length lead midstretch, and cruised under the line 5 1/4 lengths ahead of late-running Macho Again, completing the trip in 1:54.80 over the fast track. It was just 1/2 a length back to third place finisher Icabad Crane, who closed well after racing at the back of the pack early.