ELMONT, N.Y., May 25 (UPI) -- Triple Crown contender Big Brown has a quarter crack in his left front foot, but his trainer says he expects the horse to run in the Belmont Stakes in New York.
Rick Dutrow Jr. says he was informed about the injury by Ian McKinlay, a hoof specialist, after a Saturday morning workout. McKinlay claims the injury is nothing to be concerned about, Dutrow said.
"He is telling me it is nothing and (Big Brown) will be fine in a few days," Dutrow said at a news conference. "The time between the Preakness and the Belmont, the first two weeks, don't mean a whole lot."
The Belmont will be run June 7.
Big Brown is trying to become the 12th Triple Crown winner and is the first 3-year-old since Smarty Jones in 2004 to go into the Belmont Stakes with a chance to sweep the three races.
He was an easy winner at the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness.
The last Triple Crown winner was Affirmed in 1978.
