The would-be superhero with the feet of glass has apparently come down with a “slight” quarter crack in his left front hoof. Hoof specialist Ian McKinlay, who has done work on Big Brown’s previous hoof cracks turned hoof wall separations, says that it should not be a big deal to fix up the foot and that Big Brown should not have any issues before the Belmont Stakes on June 7.
“Unless I make some bonehead move, this will be a walk in the park,” McKinlay said. He also said that he hoped Big Brown could return to the track by this upcoming Thursday (May 29).
Trainer Rick Dutrow said he was not concerned, and that he would would feel good if Big Brown could get a work in by Tuesday of Belmont week.
“The horse is in no discomfort, he doesn’t even know anything is wrong,” Dutrow said. “He is trying to figure out why he is not going to the track, and he has been tough to walk. Missing a few days of training is not going to hurt us at all. If I can work him on Tuesday before the Belmont, that would be perfect. Or even Wednesday would be good.”