The general concensus is that if Big Brown is going to be denied the Triple Crown, Casino Drive is the horse that will spring the upset.
The Mineshaft colt is undefeated, but has only started twice, winning a maiden race in Japan last year and scoring a 5 3/4-length win in the Peter Pan Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park on May 10.
Casino Drive's connections sent the colt to the United States with the Belmont Stakes (G1) in mind, and his Peter Pan triumph served notice that he would be a legitimate contender.
"Today, he proved his ability," Nobutaka Tada, managing director of Global Equine Management, said on behalf of trainer Kazuo Fujisawa and jockey Hidetoshi Yamamoto after the Peter Pan. "He had so much to overcome—only one race, more than a two month layoff, long trip, and quarantine.
"He has so much potential to improve. He likes it here at Belmont Park. He feels like home. He's an American-bred, so he is home."
Whatever the outcome of the Belmont, Casino Drive will leave his American home to return to Japan after the race because if he stays in the United States longer than 60 days he would have to endure a three month quarantine in Japan.
Casino Drive fans can take heart that they may get to see the colt again later this year since he is also being considered for a start in the Breeders' Cup World Championships.
Nobutaka Tada, racing manager for owner Hidetoshi Yamamoto, on Casino Drive's training regimen at Belmont Park:
"At the moment, we are pleased with him and we will not go any faster in the mornings. We walk him fast one hour before he goes to the track, warming up muscle and tendon; it's good. Then we go to the track. Then, he walks again nearly one hour to cool down. That's what we do in Japan, and we will do it here."