There hasn’t been a Triple Crown winner in our lifetime so witnessing Big Brown make history tomorrow is something we’d really like to see happen. Well, it should be something we’d really like to see happen, there’s just one thing paralyzing our ability to do so: Rick Dutrow’s stupid fat face.

Seriously, what the fuck is this guy’s deal? How does the trainer of the horse racing for the Crown benefit from undermining the horse’s popularity with his own overwhelming douchiness? We just don’t get it.

You would think Dutrow has been attending The Chad Johnson School for Public Relations the way he’s been able to successfully inject enough jackassery into a good thing to make people question whether they want to root for his horse or not. The weird thing for us though is Dutrow’s media presence isn’t really what bugs us most about him. We don’t entirely mind his unabashed cockiness when it comes to his horse, or the patronizing manner in which he answers questions about his Japanese competition, Casino Drive, or even his recent comment about how his only concern for the Belmont is getting his girlfriend to the track from Canada (assuming this was a joke at Canadia’s expense).

No, our primary issue is that we just don’t like the guy.

We read ‘SeaBiscuit’. All the way through. Trainers are supposed to be weirdo recluses who go clothes shopping once a decade and eat sardines out of a can. Everything about their demeanor should convey their otherworldly ability to communicate with horses in a way that 99.9% of the population cannot. Loud, chubby, and sweaty are not part of that definition. Reacting like he’s just won the Showcase Showdown every time his horse crosses the finish line is not what we’re looking for from the guy who’s training the most awesome horse alive.

So, Rick. Ricky D. Thanks. Thanks for being you. Thanks for making us question whether we want to support your brilliant animal in his attempt at greatness. We still plan to root for Big Brown. We can’t in good conscience hold it against a horse that the guy responsible for him has a permanent look on his face like he’s taking the most satisfying shit ever. But thanks for making us think about it.

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“Punch in the Face Friday” is NextRound’s exposé on the shittiest people of the week. Click here to check out the PITFF archives. Click here to email us a nominee.

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