JC / Railbird

Triple Crown Archive

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.

Posted in Triple Crown on May 27, 2008

Rumors True

The backstretch whispers were true: Big Brown has a “minor” quarter crack in his left front hoof, Rick Dutrow announced this morning, and although the undefeated colt has already missed two days of training and will likely miss three more, Dutrow remains optimistic about his chances in the Belmont Stakes two weeks from now. “The horse is in no discomfort, he doesn’t even know anything is wrong,” he told reporters. “Missing a few days of training is not going to hurt us at all” (NYT). Maybe this won’t be the year the Triple Crown drought comes to an end after all.
Also rumored, but unconfirmed: That Kent Desormeaux’s agent is angling for the call on Casino Drive, whose connections have pushed back a decision on the colt’s jockey to Wednesday. Desormeaux rode Casino Drive to a win in the Peter Pan and gushed about his stride after …

Posted in Triple Crown on May 25, 2008

Thursday Morning Links

– Racing journalism has its problems, but access to the sport’s (human) stars isn’t one. In this way, at least, being a niche sport benefits fans and writers, unlike baseball.
– The Quick-Pick inquiry spreads, wild finger pointing begins, and a California state legislator notices that there’s no independent wagering monitor. Uh oh.
– Pittsburg Phil, Noted Plunger, Passes Away. Consumption, such a shame. He was just at Ascot last year.
– Dutrow has yet to confirm post-Belmont plans for Big Brown with IEAH, but he’s considering the Travers and the Breeders’ Cup Classic. Curlin vs. Brown — we can dream.
– How they take those pics: Wired at the Preakness Stakes.
– Mike Brunker is looking prescient. Flashback to his April 1 column, in which he not only predicted Big Brown’s Derby win, but went a couple steps further: “This is a colt with the talent to end the 29-year Triple Crown drought …”

Posted in The Industry, Triple Crown on May 22, 2008