BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Rick Dutrow Jr., who trains Big Brown, made a bold prediction regarding his horse’s chances of winning a Triple Crown when asked about whether his horse can beat Casino Drive, a star in Japan, in the Belmont Stakes on June 7.

“I believe that he can’t beat our horse,” he said. “So all the Japanese people are going to come over here, they thought Godzilla was dead. They’re going to find out he’s not dead. He’s here.”

And Big Brown has played the role of unbeatable monster well the past three weeks.

The thoroughbred remained undefeated in five races by winning the 133rd Preakness by 5 1/4-lengths — an even more dominating victory than his 4 3/4-length victory at the Kentucky Derby. If Big Brown wins the Belmont Stakes, he will become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978. Seattle Slew in 1977 was the last horse to accomplish the feat with an undefeated career record.

Since Affirmed crossed the finish line first at Belmont, there have been 10 horses with a chance to win the Triple Crown — six since 1997 — but all have fallen short in New York. One of the reasons for the struggles of the previous candidates is the increased length of the race — the Preakness is 1 3/16 of a mile compared the Belmont’s 1 1/2 miles, the longest of the three races.

“I know we have horse left,” Dutrow said. “I’m under the impression he’s going to be awful tough to beat in the Belmont.”

Big Brown initially stumbled out of the post 7, and was clustered among the leaders rounding the final turn, but pulled away down the homestretch for his commanding win, easily besting the 11 other horses.

But it figures to be more difficult next month.

The field will be highlighted by Casino Drive, who made his American debut earlier on May 10 at Belmont Park in the Peter Pan Stakes. Casino Drive was with the pack for much of the race before finishing strong down the final stretch for a convincing 5 3/4-length win in the 1 1/8-mile event.

The jockey of Casino Drive for the race, ironically, was Kent Desormeaux, who has ridden Big Brown to the first two jewels of the Triple Crown.

“I’ve ridden horses all across the country and I think he’s the only one who could entertain Big Brown’s stride,” Desormeaux, who will ride Big Brown in three weeks, said. “I can’t wait to find out what happens.”

dcarey@baltimoreexaminer.com