The field and post positions for the 2008 Belmont Stakes won't be drawn until Wednesday, but the news today coming from Big Brown's stable is that trainer Rick Dutrow may be putting his horse's life on the line by running him on Saturday.
But not everyone is worried about Big Brown.
Hoof specialist Ian McKinlay, who was called in to make repairs to Big Brown's injured front left hoof, fully supports Dutrow's decision to enter Big Brown in the upcoming Belmont Stakes.
"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."
Big Brown had a successful workout Tuesday and there was no sign of blood to the cracked hoof. McKinlay said he'd remove the sutures to the hoof on Friday, clean the area, re-drill holes and in new sutures.
"The adhesive that we'll rebuild that wall with is stronger than the hoof itself," McKinlay said.
With no plan to withdraw the horse from the race, Dutrow is prepared to face an onslaught of criticism from fans and the media, but is nonetheless convinced he's doing the right thing.
"If he runs terrible and he's got a bleeding foot after the race, I'm sure there will be plenty of questions thrown my way," Dutrow said. "If he does what he's already been doing, maybe they'll say, 'Well, it looks like they handled it the right way."'
Bet on Big Brown to win the Belmont Stakes and the Triple Crown!
