The flight carrying Big Brown and two other Preakness horses, Racecar Rhapsody and Tres Borrachos, from Louisville, Ky. to Baltimore was delayed nearly two hours, not landing until around 7 p.m.

As a crowd of reporters and photographers gathered outside Pimlico's stakes barn, it was 7:55 when the sirens of the police escort from the airport were first heard on the backstretch.

"It was cool having a police escort," Dutrow said. "It was like everyone was waiting on Big Brown. There were people waving, yeah. It was fun. I tried to explain that to him on the way over. He's a big shot now."

Two 18-wheel horse vans pulled in at 7:58, the second carrying Tres Borrachos, who was led off first by trainer Beau Greely, followed by Racecar Rhapsody.

At 8:01, an announcement came over the track's public address system: "Your attention, please. Big Brown is on the grounds."

Two minutes later, a UPS delivery van pulled around the backstretch, followed by a Brook Ledge van carrying trainer Rick Dutrow, exercise rider Michelle Nevin, and Big Brown. Behind it was the cab from a UPS 18-wheeler.

At 8:07, Dutrow was the first off the van, followed by Nevin and a groom leading Big Brown to the stakes barn. He was walked a few times around the shedrow and then bedded down in stall 40, which is reserved for the Derby winner.

The original itinerary had Big Brown's flight, the last of three planes that brought in Preakness horses today, landing at 5:30 with an estimated 6:30 arrival at Pimlico. Dutrow said the colt handled everything well.

"It was like clockwork. No problems," he said. "He was cool. He got here on time. He's fine. He shipped good and he's in the stall good. He left there good. I can't see a problem."

Depending on the weather, Dutrow plans to gallop Big Brown after the break Thursday and Friday morning, and then give him a three-furlong blowout the morning of the Preakness.

Big Brown munched at the hay hung in his stall, occasionally stopping to peer out at the people who crowded the barn area, pricking his ears at the clicking of cameras.

"I believe he enjoys the attention," Dutrow said. "He likes meeting new people. I will let new people meet him because he likes it. Once you meet Big Brown, you'll always be a fan of his. He's such a sweetheart."

Except on race day, when he dominates his opponents. Despite the two-week turnaround, Dutrow is as confident as he was before the Derby.

"Yes, I am," he said. "I'm happy about the spot that we're in. I think we're in a good spot."