Back at the 1998 November breeding-stock sale at Keeneland, a mare in foal to Nureyev caught the eye of Dr. Gary Knapp. He purchased that Lear Fan mare -- named Miasma -- as he was still in the midst of establishing Monticule Farm in Lexington as a thoroughbred breeding operation. Miasma then produced the filly Mien, who was retired after winning one of her two starts. Her second son, in 2005, came from a mating with the Danzig sire Boundary. The colt was named Big Brown, and yesterday he won the 134th Kentucky Derby. Monticule is a French term that refers to a big hill or small mountain, and Big Brown's victory helps Monticule Farm climb into the spotlight with its band of 19 broodmares. Knapp, a former college professor, securities dealer and media owner, has more than tripled Monticule's size to nearly 700 acres over the past 19 years. The farm also includes an arboretum with thousands of trees. Given his sire, Big Brown is somewhat a fluke Derby winner. Boundary didn't do much on the track until he was 4 years old, and that was as a sprinter. He won 6 of 8 starts and earned $217,777. Boundary was a Claiborne Farm stallion but has been retired. Boundary's sire, Danzig, has long had a tremendous influence on the Derby; he fathered Hard Spun, who was second to Street Sense in last year's race. Mien is from the family of the champion older female of 1997, Hidden Lake. The colt later named Big Brown was put into the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October yearling sale in 2006, where pinhooker Eddie Woods bought him for $60,000. He is currently co-owned by IEAH Stables and Paul Pompa Jr. Big Brown is Mien's first stakes winner. Breeder Knapp also is associated with Case The Race, which provides handicappers with a way to rate a horse's athletic ability rather than making picks based on racing performances.