News

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/horse/triplecrown08/news/story?id=3413650 NEW YORK -- Big Brown was back on the track a day earlier than expected, and trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. said he looks as good as ever -- maybe even better. The Triple Crown hopeful went out for a 1½-mile jog around Belmont Park on a rainy Tuesday morning, the first time since Friday the unbeaten colt was out exercising since a quarter crack was discovered on the inside of his left front hoof. "I was very happy with this move," Dutrow said outside barn 2, where Big Brown was being walked around by exercise rider Michelle Nevin. Asked if he looked as good as he did before winning the Preakness on May 17, Dutrow said, "He might look better." Big Brown will attempt to become the first Triple Crown champion in 30 years, since Affirmed in 1978, in the Belmont Stakes on June 7. On Monday, hoof specialist Ian McKinlay treated the three-quarter inch crack, stitching it up with stainless steel wire. By Monday afternoon, Dutrow and McKinlay spoke and decided if the hoof looked good Wednesday morning, the trainer would make the call on how to proceed with his Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner. ESPN.com 5/27/08