Horse-racing fans eagerly anticipated the Belmont Stakes this weekend as Big Brown competed for the Triple Crown. After breezing through the Kentucky Derby in May and the Preakness later that month, Big Brown surged to the head of the pack with a major spike in online conversations referencing the “Triple Crown.” Even after a disappointing loss at Belmont, Big Brown was still able to influence a significant amount of discussion although much less optimistic in sentiment.

The first wave in consumer discussions took place on May 3rd, as Big Brown captured the Kentucky Derby crown at Churchill Downs. Sentiment drivers included the remembrance of second runner-up Eight Belles, who collapsed after the race and was immediately euthanized, Big Brown’s big win and references to Barbaro, the 2006 Kentucky Derby winner who shattered his leg in the Preakness later that year.

Online chatter for the “Triple Crown” peaked on May 17th as Big Brown won the Preakness, up 18.5% from May 3rd, while conversations increased 64% for “Big Brown” in the same time period. Most conversation centered on Big Brown’s run at the second leg of the triumvirate and whether he had the stamina and strength to do it.

The final and largest spike for Big Brown came last weekend as his completion of the historic feat was on the minds of the digital world. Belmont Buzz was almost three times as much as the two previous races with 0.15%. However sentiment was noticeably less optimistic as Big Brown failed to gain the Triple Crown. Many of the messages referenced him being in the same class as the 11 horses that have won the first two legs but lost at Belmont. Ultimately, though, the data showed failing to win the Triple Crown is still something to buzz about.

The query we ran is located here.

Tags: blogpulse, cgm