Trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. knocked reigning Horse of the Year Curlin, saying the 4-year-old didn’t win the Derby or Haskell Invitational last year, and even got beat by a filly.

While it is true that Curlin didn’t win the Derby or the Haskell, and lost the Belmont to the filly Rags to Riches, many experts think a race between the two would be a mismatch based on speed figures that the two have earned. Curlin has been a dominant force since losing the Haskell last year, winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic last year and the Dubai World Cup this year, while Big Brown appeared his equal until being eased in the Belmont before struggling in the Haskell to win by a length and three-quarters over some overmatched rivals.

Dutrow said Monday morning, “We’re way better than Curlin, I’ve always said that. I just think he is.”

Jess Jackson, owner of Curlin said “I don’t know that there is any horse his equal right now and I loved to match Big Brown”. I never thought Big Brown was as good but I’ve always wanted… who finds out? At the wire you find out. That’s when you know what you have.”