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Title: Big Brown Does Well in Pre-Belmont Workout View count: 9053 Rating: 5.0 (7 ratings) Description: SportsBig Brown Does Well in Pre-Belmont WorkoutBig Brown Does Well in Pre-Belmont WorkoutThe Associated PressBig Brown's cracked left front hoof held up well Tuesday in his final workout before the Belmont Stakes and his bid for the Triple Crown. Trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. will wait until Friday to have a patch applied to the hoof. (June 3)((Elmont, NY)) Here's Big Brown running fast at Belmont Tuesday. This is the last time he'll get a chance to run like this until the Belmont Stakes this Saturday, where hopes are high he'll seize the first Triple Crown victory since the 1970s. After today, he's on light duty, and the trainers are happy with what they see. ((Rick Dutrow, Trainer)) "He's right on target, couldn't be any better, he's by far the best horse in the race." His exercise rider says he's running just the way he did before they discovered a tear in his left, front hoof last week. ((Michelle Nevin, Exercise Rider)) "I'm very relieved, I just wanted him to be the way he always is and that's what he did, he was eager and happy to do it." Although, Big Brown's handlers continue to downplay the significance of the hoof crack, AP Horse Racing writer Richard Rosenblatt says the injury is not to be taken lightly. ((Richard Rosenblatt, AP Horse Racing Writer)) "Just about everyone in racing will tell you, it IS an issue. When a horse has a minor injury preparing for a big race, in this case probably the biggest race horse racing has seen in decades, there is always a concern." Big Brown has already beat in previous races just about every other horse he's racing against this Saturday. EXCEPT a "mystery" horse named Casino Drive, who was specially bred by the Japanese to race in the Belmont Stakes, and whose close horse relatives have won the Belmont Stakes the last two years running. "His Japanese owner and trainer really believe he has a shot at Beating Big Brown on Saturday."BOTH horses are famous for pulling from the pack out at the end, and leaving all competitors behind. Casino Drive's jockey says that's where he hopes to pull in front of Big Brown and win. ((Edgar Prado, Jockey)) "As Big Brown is in front, I will be right behind him, and follow his footsteps, so hopefully be able to run him down in the end." All eyes will be on the track Saturday to see who wins this most anticipated race. Ted Shaffrey, The Associated Press, Elmont, New York Tags: belmont, big, brown, pre-belmont, workout, Author: AssociatedPress |
