Hoof Healed, Big Brown Ready to Run
BackSportsHoof Healed, Big Brown Ready to RunHoof Healed, Big Brown Ready to RunThe Associated PressAs his date with destiny approaches, Big Brown is running well and his trainer is pleased. AP correspondent Ted Shaffrey reports from Belmont Park. (June 2)[Notes:ANCHOR VOICE] Big Brown is healthy enough for a morning gallop at Belmont. And trainer Rick Dutrow likes what he sees. (Rick Dutrow, Trainer)) "Cool, calm, collected, galloped good, couldn't be happier with the horse." Big Brown still has a crack in his left, front hoof, as seen here. It is five-eights of an inch long. A hoof specialist laced it up with steel sutures. ((Ian McKinlay, Hoof Specialist))"I've been reading people saying 'this could jeopardize his life,' that's nonsense. This is just a slight, slight crack. We're being as precautious as we can because we're going for the Triple Crown." The sutures come out Friday, when they'll apply an acrylic, fiberglass patch to the hoof and leave it on for Saturday's race."We're dealing with something that was designed to heal itself. It regenerates new tissue, it's taking its course, some people call it nature, I call it God." Big Brown already won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, and Dutrow says he'll seize Belmont, too, if they stick to the strategy. "Just stay out of his way, let the horse play it's game." If he wins, he'll be the 12th Triple Crown champion and the first since 1978. ((MODIFY THIS LINE TO REFERENCE SECRETARIAT? HE WON IN 1973 ... AFFIRMED WAS LAST, IN 78 ... OR KILL IT AND USE THE SHOT TO COVER THE NEXT LINE, THAT WORKS TOO)Here's Big Brown walking right in front of the statue of that famous winner. The horse's hoof problems are attracting sympathy. This is a letter from a little girl, wishing him well, with a little band-aid on a picture she drew of the horse. The animal rights group PETA is also keeping a close eye on Big Brown. They've called for an independent review of the horse's hoof by outside veterinarians. But Big Brown's owners are not inclined to let any outsiders near their star, at least not until after the race is run. Ted Shaffrey, The Associated Press, Elmont, New York
Category: Sports
Uploaded: June 2nd, 2008 @ 1:31 pm
Author: AssociatedPress
Length: 01:47
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Tags: ap brown healed hoof rac--belmont-big ready
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