Thu May 29 15:34:19 2008

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Dutrow not pressured concerning Big Brown

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Elmont, NY (Sports Network) - Big Brown, winner of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, is still being prepared for the $1 million Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 7. Owned by IEAH Stables and Paul Pompa, Jr., Big Brown can become the first Triple Crown champion since 1978 with a victory in the 1 1/2 mile "Test of Champions".

The three-year-old colt is being treated for a quarter-crack of his left front foot. He has been to the track the last two days and will have one workout next week prior to the Belmont Stakes.

"It's coming slowly but surely," trainer Rick Dutrow, Jr. said. "If we were under pressure, (hoof specialist Ian McKinlay) could patch him today, but we're not under any pressure. We've got time. Today's only Thursday."

After a patch is applied to the five-eighths inch crack on the inside of his left front hoof Big Brown will go back to the track on either Monday or Tuesday.

Hoof specialist Ian McKinlay was brought in by trainer Rick Dutrow, Jr. to treat Big Brown. McKinlay sutured the crack on Monday and has been observing the situation closely.

"At this point we are playing it as safe as possible," McKinlay said. "All I do is make sure the wires are intact. I just check it every day after it's done."

McKinlay believes the crack is 70 to 80-percent healed.

The quarter-crack apparently developed after the colt galloped last Friday. He did not go to the track until Tuesday of this week, the day after McKinlay stitched the hoof together.

Big Brown is undefeated in five career starts with earnings of more than $2.7 million.