NEW YORK -- Casino Drive was scratched from the Belmont Stakes hours before the final leg of the Triple Crown on Saturday morning due to a bruised left hind hoof.
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AP Photo/Peter Morgan
Casino Drive came to Belmont as a challenger to Big Brown's Triple Crown hopes. But a bruised hoof kept him from making it to the starting gate of Saturday's Belmont Stakes.
Racing manager Nobutaka Tada for Casino Drive's Japanese connections said the horse was fine during a three-furlong jog early Saturday, but appeared to be favoring the hoof while receiving a bath following the workout.Casino Drive was the early second choice behind Triple Crown favorite Big Brown.
Tada said the decision to scratch the Peter Pan Stakes winner was a precautionary measure. He classified the injury as minor, but didn't want to take any chances during the grueling 1½-mile race.
Casino Drive developed symptoms on Friday, and was held out of his morning gallop. He was treated with ice overnight and showed no ill effects while on the track early Saturday.
"It's not serious, it's just a matter of timing," Tada said. "The horse is OK."
The horse will be shipped back to Japan on Tuesday, but could return later this year to run in the Breeders' Cup.
Casino Drive may have a stone bruise, which can be caused by walking on hard, rocky ground. The colt has been walked all over Belmont Park's horse paths this week, a training technique favored by the Japanese. American trainers typically gallop or jog their horses on the track in the days leading to a race.
"It's very sad," Tada said. "Many people support us. It's sad that we couldn't meet the expectations."
Tada said he wasn't sure if scratching Casino Drive would make it easy for Big Brown to become the first Triple Crown winner in 30 years.
"I don't know [but] I'd like to see him win," he said.
Big Brown's trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. was not available for comment. The brash Dutrow had downplayed the threat of Casino Drive all week, saying there was no horse in the field talented enough to take on his talented bay colt.
Big Brown, who had an acrylic patch placed on his front left foot Friday to repair a small crack, was resting comfortably inside Barn 2 on Saturday morning. A retaining wall was set up outside the barn to keep the media and well-wishers at bay.
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AP Photo/Peter MorganCasino Drive came to Belmont as a challenger to Big Brown's Triple Crown hopes. But a bruised hoof kept him from making it to the starting gate of Saturday's Belmont Stakes.
Racing manager Nobutaka Tada for Casino Drive's Japanese connections said the horse was fine during a three-furlong jog early Saturday, but appeared to be favoring the hoof while receiving a bath following the workout.Casino Drive was the early second choice behind Triple Crown favorite Big Brown.
Tada said the decision to scratch the Peter Pan Stakes winner was a precautionary measure. He classified the injury as minor, but didn't want to take any chances during the grueling 1½-mile race.
Casino Drive developed symptoms on Friday, and was held out of his morning gallop. He was treated with ice overnight and showed no ill effects while on the track early Saturday.
"It's not serious, it's just a matter of timing," Tada said. "The horse is OK."
The horse will be shipped back to Japan on Tuesday, but could return later this year to run in the Breeders' Cup.
Casino Drive may have a stone bruise, which can be caused by walking on hard, rocky ground. The colt has been walked all over Belmont Park's horse paths this week, a training technique favored by the Japanese. American trainers typically gallop or jog their horses on the track in the days leading to a race.
"It's very sad," Tada said. "Many people support us. It's sad that we couldn't meet the expectations."
Tada said he wasn't sure if scratching Casino Drive would make it easy for Big Brown to become the first Triple Crown winner in 30 years.
"I don't know [but] I'd like to see him win," he said.
Big Brown's trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. was not available for comment. The brash Dutrow had downplayed the threat of Casino Drive all week, saying there was no horse in the field talented enough to take on his talented bay colt.
Big Brown, who had an acrylic patch placed on his front left foot Friday to repair a small crack, was resting comfortably inside Barn 2 on Saturday morning. A retaining wall was set up outside the barn to keep the media and well-wishers at bay.
