NEWS
Big Brown may breeze on Tuesday
Posted: Saturday, May 31, 2008 7:31 PM
BIG BROWN ON SATURDAY MORNING AT BELMONT PARK
Adam Coglianese/NYRA photo
Dual classic winner Big Brown galloped on Saturday morning at Belmont Park, continuing his preparation for a run at the Triple Crown in the Belmont Stakes (G1) on June 7.
The undefeated Boundary colt has been treated for a quarter crack in his left front hoof, and on Saturday the stainless-steel suture stabilizing the crack was replaced.
Michael Iavarone, managing partner of owner IEAH Stables, said Big Brown will have an acrylic and fiberglass patch placed on the hoof on Monday, and will breeze Tuesday morning.
"We have time, and we want to keep the patch off as long as possible to let the crack heal naturally," Iavarone said.
Hoof specialist Ian McKinlay has been monitoring the crack since last Friday and was optimistic about the hoof's improvement.
"The little spot up top [on the coronet band] just keeps getting harder and harder," McKinlay said. "By Monday, it should be in fabulous shape. There's no sense taking any chances. The only thing that can go wrong is rushing. If we don't rush it, we're good."
Trainer Todd Pletcher said Peter Pan Stakes (G2) third-place finisher Ready's Echo will breeze on Sunday morning, an audition to see if the More Than Ready colt will start in the 1 1/2-mile Belmont Stakes.
"We thought his Peter Pan was a good race," Pletcher said of the 1 1/8-mile race, in which Ready's Echo rallied from ninth to finish third. "He seems to be an improving horse. So we decided to take a shot."
Pletcher also said it was unlikely that Coolmore Lexington Stakes (G2) winner Behindatthebar will start in the Belmont.
Nick Zito already has confirmed Grade 2 winner Anak Nakal as a starter for the Belmont, but the Racing Hall of Fame trainer also may saddle Da' Tara, runner-up to Roman Emperor in the Barbaro Stakes on May 17 at Pimlico Race Course.
"He was good in the Barbaro on Preakness [Stakes (G1)] day, and he was a lot better than a lot of the horses in the Preakness," Zito said. "He's still a longshot. But he's good and he's a terrific horse."
Zito said Anak Nakal will work on Monday and be shipped to Belmont on Wednesday.
