Big Brown's Quarter Crack Problems Threaten His Historic Triple Crown Bid

Big Brown is one important victory away from becoming the 12th horse in history to complete the elusive sweep of the American Triple Crown, but quarter crack problems could threaten his historic Triple Crown bid.

A Column by Steve Davidowitz
May 28, 2008

There were several very big, nationally important stakes races in California, Texas and New York over the Memorial Day weekend, but the big story was a tiny crack in the left front hoof of Kentucky Derby-Preakness winner Big Brown.

Big Brown is no stranger to quarter cracks, which refer to their shape - a thin, relatively small slit in the hoof wall that can leave the soft tissue vulnerable to infection. When and if infection occurs, there is no way for a horse to train, much less to race, which is why there is considerable anxiety in the racing world as Big Brown edges closer to the 140th running of the Belmont Stakes.

As with his prior hoof problems, which interrupted his spectacular five-race career during the fall of 2007, he was treated by hoof specialist Ian McKinlay for this latest flare-up.

After McKinlay controlled the possibility of infection with alcohol, iodine and other antiseptics, he repaired the small crack with a set of steel sutures, which were scheduled to be replaced by a fiberglass patch on the hoof wall sometime Wednesday or Thursday.

In the meantime, McKinlay surprisingly gave the go ahead to trainer Rick Dutrow to let Big Brown return to the track Tuesday morning for a 1 1/2-mile jog under exercise rider Michelle Nevin.

Dutrow thought a trip to the track for "some light exercise" would be good for the colt's "conditioning and his mind."

"He's been kind of aggravated," Dutrow explained. "He doesn't know why he didn't go to the track (during the Memorial Day weekend) . . . . We can't explain it to him. He was full of pent up energy and was walking fine around the shed row so we let him go out to take the edge off. He was getting too rough around the barn."

At the bottom line, Dutrow stated emphatically that "the time off" would not affect Big Brown's ability to "finish what he started" and that he was hoping to step up the colt's training in time for a more serious workout early next week.

"It could be Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, or even Wednesday, " Dutrow said. "He's plenty fit from the Derby and Preakness, but we want to be sure everything is 100 percent back to normal before we put one good work into him . . . . If I had everything I would want, I would like it Monday."

So goes the saga of the undefeated Big Brown who is one important victory away from becoming the 12th horse in history to complete the elusive sweep of the American Triple Crown. Stay tuned - dramatic events are in progress. But even though his trainer continues to exude confidence and promises this quarter crack will be no issue on race day, Big Brown would not be the first horse to run a sub par race or be forced to withdraw because of a nagging hoof injury. Of course, everyone in the racing and sporting world was encouraged by the Mkinlay's latest evaluation and we will find out shortly when Big Brown puts in his important Belmont week workout if all systems will be go for his date with destiny on June 7th.

More Belmont Stakes notes:

The Churchill Downs workouts for Belmont Stakes contender Denis of Cork have gone quite well to date, while Casino Drive is due for a serious workout at Belmont on Wednesday or Thursday, pending the weather. Otherwise, Tale of Ekati's workout at Belmont on Memorial Day was messed up badly by jockey Eibar Coa.

Instead of going in 1:12 and change for 6 furlongs, Coa kept Tale of Ekati under unnecessary restraint through 6 furlongs in a pokey 1:18. The butchered workout left trainer Barclay Tagg with steam coming out of his ears, but he wisely chose to avoid a direct confrontation with Coa. Hours later, Tagg said he would schedule another, faster work for this weekend to compensate.

Trainer Todd Pletcher is an inch away from removing Behindatthebar from the 1 1/2-mile Belmont due to lingering problems with the bruised foot that caused him to scratch out of the Kentucky Derby the day before the race. Still listed as probable starters are Big Brown, Casino Drive, Tale of Ekati, , Icabad Crane, Anak Nakal, Tomcito and possibly the Pletcher-trained Ready's Echo and Casino Drive's stable mate Spark Candle.

Review of four major races on Memorial Day weekend:

Belmont Park, Saturday, May 24th

* The $150,000 Sheepshead Handicap (G2), 1 3/8 miles on the firm inner turf course for fillies and mares (rails set at 18 feet).

Fractional Splits: 24.38. .49.38. .1:14.60. .1:39.06. .2:02.86. . .
2:14.69
- Below par pace through the first mile, with a strong final 3/8 miles clocked in 35.63 and a final furlong in 11.83.
Winning Beyer Speed Figure: 102
- Par for the G2 level and distance, although the winner clearly demonstrated G1 form with her whirlwind finish.

The slow pace scenario was presumed by many handicappers to be against the stretch running Mauralakana, but a slow pace at a long distance often puts all horses in the field on equal footing for a final dash to the wire. That is exactly what happened here as Mauralakana overpowered this field from last place coming off the turn to win by three widening lengths. Trainer Christophe Clement has a strong candidate here for the rich Beverly D at Arlington on August 10th and the $2 million Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Santa Anita on Friday, October 24th. Although 30-1 longshot Leap in the Sun had some traffic problems on the final turn and closed relatively well for third, none who finished behind the winner seem likely to ever beat her.

Belmont Park, Monday, May 26th

* The $600,000 Metropolitan Mile Handicap (G1), 1 mile around one turn for 3-year-olds and up.

Fractional Splits: 22.48. .44.52. .1:09.61. . .
1:36.91
- Very fast half mile and above par six furlong pace, set under pressure by Commentator, with First Defence forcing the issue. The final fraction was a slow 26.30, partly because of the early pace, partly because the track was not producing fast closing times all day due to some unknown track maintenance issues.
Winning Beyer Speed Figure: 109
- Right at par for a G1 mile around one turn.

Divine Park, upset winner of the Westchester Handicap over highly ranked Grasshopper on April 30th on this track and distance, proved best after second-place finisher Commentator was softened up by First Defence in their blistering pace duel. Both Divine Park and Commentator turned in high-class performances, yet it is unclear where they will go to from here. Trainer Nick Zito said he will point Commentator for the 9-furlong Whitney Handicap (G1) at Saratoga on July 26th, a race he won with a sensational 123 Beyer Speed Figure three years ago. But, this oft-injured 7-year-old gelding historically has a difficult time recovering from strenuous efforts, so we shall see. Divine Park, trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, is bred to handle 9 furlongs on dirt and is royally bred for longer on grass, as a son of 2000 Arlington Million winner Chester House.

First Defence, who gave Hard Spun a good battle when second in the 7-furlong King's Bishop (G1) at Saratoga last summer, faded to fifth here after testing Commentator for 6 1/2 furlongs. A fast horse yes, but this is a stone cold 'need-the-lead' type who must be spotted carefully by trainer Bobby Frankel to win graded stakes. Lord Snowden, a consistent performer in lower quality sprint stakes, endured an awkward beginning from the inside post and did rally past tiring rivals for third without threatening the overworked Commentator.

Hollywood Park, Monday, May 26th

* The $250,000 Gamely Stakes (G1), 1 1/8 miles on firm turf for fillies and mares.

Fractional Splits: 22.36. .45.84. .1:08.94. .1:33.24. . .
1:45.23
- Very fast fractions through six furlongs and a good final 3/8 miles in 36.29, with the best part of that in the final furlong clocked in 11.99.
Winning Beyer Speed Figure: 108
- A solid G1 rating for fillies and mares on the grass.

Precious Kitten, a multiple G1 stakes winner trained by Bobby Frankel, was expertly ridden by the outstanding Rafael Bejarano. A 5-year-old mare with natural front running speed, she was placed second behind front running Diamond Diva for most of the first mile as Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith tried to steal this race with aggressive tactics. Smith shot Diamond Diva to the lead and set fast fractions from the inside until unable to take the heat from Precious Kitten in the upper stretch. Precious Kitten quickly took command when Bejarano gave her the signal to leave highly ranked Rutherienne with a hopeless task to make up any serious ground on the winner or the front running second-place finisher.

* The $250,000 Shoemaker Mile (G1), on the turf for 3-year-olds and up.

Fractional Splits: 23.88. .46.68. .1:09.63. .1:21.36. . .
1:33.44
- Slightly above par splits all the way to the wire.
Winning Beyer Speed Figure: 108
- One of the better ratings on the turf this year.

Daytona, a confirmed front running terror at slightly longer distances, won his sixth graded stakes in his last seven tries by stalking Ever a Friend from close range until ready to take command in the upper stretch. Ever a Friend held on well for second, but the issue never seemed in doubt. Hyperbaric, second in his last two and a non-stakes winner to this point, rallied mildly for third but was no threat. Perfect Drift, making his 47th career start and first for Hall of Fame trainer Dick Mandella, was a fair fourth as this venerable 9-year-old gelding continues to compete with more than $4.6 million in career earnings. Not sure exactly why, but his owners say that Perfect Drift is "a happier horse" in competition.

Lone Star Park, Monday, May 26th

* The $400,000 Lone Star Handicap (G3), 1 1/16 miles on the dirt for 3-year-olds and up.

Fractional Splits: 23.31. .46.86. .1:10.39. .1:36.11. . .
1:43.01
- Above par splits through six furlongs, slightly below par final 5/16 miles on a day when the inside rail path was slower than the middle of the track.
Winning Beyer Speed Figure: 104
- About two lengths faster than par for the G3 level.

Giant Gizmo, a Bobby Frankel trainee, was confidently ridden by top-notch Garrett Gomez to get the jump on late finishing Zanjero in a good race for both. Front running Encaustic and the horse who pushed him to faster than par fractions, One Lucky Buck, faded to fourth and last of seven respectively. Stella Mark stumbled badly at the start and did rally behind Zanjero for third while just catching the tired Encaustic at the wire.

Added notes: Storm Mesa won the 7-furlong, $100,000 Cinemine Handicap for fillies and mares at Lone Star by 13 1/2 lengths with a huge Beyer Speed Figure of 108. The oddly named maiden filly Trifecta King (not Queen) won the 5 1/2-furlong, $75,000 Cinderella Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Hollywood Park on Sunday, May 25th with a good burst of speed to earn a 79 Beyer Speed Figure, and Backbackbackgone took the $75,000 Williard Proctor Memorial at the same distance with an appropriately higher 84 Beyer Speed Figure. Good 2-year-olds are just beginning to surface on both coasts.

Reminder: As included in columns for the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, I will have horse-by-horse appraisals - and their respective training regimens - for all Belmont Stakes contenders in next week's column. Also, Dave Tuley and I will "face off" with our analysis of the race right here on the bodoglife.com racing page on Friday, June 6th.

Steve Davidowitz has written two highly acclaimed books on Thoroughbred racing---Betting Thoroughbreds and The Best and Worst of Thoroughbred Racing. He also is a regular contributor to Daily Racing Form's Simulcast Weekly and DRF Plus and his columns appear in the Bodog Racebook each week.