Big Brown Jumps Big Hurdle

With only a few days to go until the Belmont Stakes, talk around the stables these days is heating up over whether or not Big Brown will be ready to win the Triple Crown.

Last week the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner had a crack in his front left hoof repaired by hoof specialist Ian McKinlay. After taking a few days off his training to allow the hoof to heal, Big Brown underwent his first pre-Belmont Stakes workout and passed with flying colors; he ran five furlongs in a minute. But trainer Rick Dutrow has been put under the microscope by critics for pushing his horse to the limits. McKinlay says the idea of Dutrow doing anything to jeopardize Big Brown's life is "absolute nonsense".

"I don't like people accusing Rick or accusing this industry of just taking horses and throwing them to the wolves for money. These guys love these horses," McKinlay said Monday. "Yes, there's a lot of money at stake, but they're not going to do it. They'd be an idiot to do it. He's certainly worth a lot more alive than he is dead."

By all accounts, Big Brown's hoof is healing up nicely and held up well in the workout. There's no cause for concern coming from trainer nor specialist.

"He jumped over a big hurdle today," Dutrow said.

Bet on Big Brown to win the Belmont Stakes and the Triple Crown!