Thoroughbred Fever - Horse Racing News

Belmont Stakes Preview (May 28th): Big Brown gallops; Edgar Prado to pilot Casino Drive

by Jarrod Horak on May 28th, 2008

Big Brown jogged in his return to the track on Tuesday, and he went for a gallop around Big Sandy on Wednesday. The Triple Crown hopeful is slowly on the mend as he continues to recover from a quarter crack in his left front foot. He has top notch foot specialist Ian McKinlay in his corner, and I have to think that the quarter crack will not slow him down. As long as he keep going to the track, burning off energy, and maintaining a routine, he should be ready to rumble on June 7th.

Japanese import Casino Drive, undefeated in two starts, a February maiden romp and a good looking Peter Pan score in his US bow, worked a pedestrian five furlongs in 1:12.52 (1:25 6f gallop out) at Belmont Park on Wednesday. He was expected to work in company with stablemate Spark Candle, but racing manager Nobutaka Tada was concerned about going too fast and said he did not need to do more than that.

At this stage, I have to question his fitness for the twelve furlong Test of Champions with just two facile lifetime starts coupled with today’s stroll in the park. I would like to see him do more in his next breeze.

Also, two-time Belmont Stakes winning rider Edgar Prado has been named as the pilot for Casino Drive.

In other Belmont Stakes, Tomcito went seven panels in 1:29.95 at Belmont Park on Wednesday. The distant show finisher in the Florida Derby had throat surgery on May 13th after displacing his palate in an off the board Peter Pan effort.

Photo Credit: Newscom

Share This

Related Stories

• No related posts

POSTED IN: Horses, Jockeys, Triple Crown