Jun 6, 2008 2:09 pm US/Eastern
Casino Drive Has Bruised Left Hind Hoof
No Plans To Scratch Japanese-Owned Horse From Belmont
NEW YORK (AP) ―
Casino Drive has a bruised hoof but there are no plans to scratch the Japanese horse from Saturday's Belmont Stakes.
The Peter Pan winner skipped his morning workout Friday after his trainer noticed Casino Drive wasn't walking normally.
"We are not 100 percent happy with the movement of the hind leg," said Nobutaka Tada, racing manager for Casino Drive's Japanese connections. "We haven't withdrawn him, just giving him an easy day."
Casino Drive is the early second-choice behind Triple Crown favorite Big Brown.
Tada said a veterinarian saw the horse, whose hoof was being treated with ice and heat.
"He probably stepped on something," Tada said. "He looks fine, he has a good appetite. He's not lame."
Tada said Casino Drive may have a stone bruise, which can be caused by walking on hard, rocky ground. The colt has been walked all over Belmont Park's horse paths this week, a training technique favored by the Japanese. American trainers typically gallop or jog their horses on the track in the days leading to a race.
Tada said Casino Drive would be examined again Friday. Depending on the hoof's condition, he acknowledged there's a slight possibility the colt may not run Saturday. Horses entered in the Belmont may be scratched up to 45 minutes before the 6:25 p.m. EDT post time.
However, Tada said, "If he stays like this, there's no reason to stop him. At the moment, we are not thinking of scratching."
(© 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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