Progress Report
Farrier Ian McKinlay answers press questions at Belmont on Monday morning after working on the quarter crack in Big Brown’s left front hoof.
Big Brown was back on track this morning, jogging a mile and half around Belmont. Trainer Rick Dutrow, who said on Monday morning that if the colt’s hoof showed improvement Tuesday he would probably have Big Brown walked under tack around the shedrow instead of resuming training, told the AP the change of plans was good for Big Brown’s head:
On Monday, hoof lameness specialist Ian McKinlay cleaned up the 3/4-inch quarter crack that emerged on Big Brown’s left front hoof early Saturday, inserting stainless steel sutures to close the crack and stabilize the heel. Although he noted that some inflammation was present and said he’d like to see the coronet band looking a little healthier, McKinlay was confident Big Brown was on the mend and would be ready for the Belmont Stakes, “as long as we don’t make any mistakes.” In an email to Fran at Hoofcare last night, McKinlay reported that the hoof “went cold within five hours of lacing him up,” which suggests McKinlay’s confidence was well founded, as does this morning’s activity. The farrier, working at Monmouth today, will re-examine Big Brown on Wednesday and determine the next steps for treatment.
In other Belmont news:
Out at the track early with Teresa and friends, we caught Tomcito, recovered from his post-Peter Pan myectomy, galloping a mile and three quarters around Belmont, as well as Tale of Ekati working six furlongs in an uninspiring 1:18.97 under jockey Eibar Coa, prompting trainer Barclay Tagg to mutter, “Two works before a Classic race and this is not what I wanted” (NY Daily News, not overheard by us). Slow as Tale of Ekati’s move may have been, the work was the fastest of three at the distance.
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