On the day before the Belmont Stakes, very few entrants came out to the track
for the morning gallops. Second choice Casino Drive was expected to gallop as
he has every day this week, but a stone bruise was discovered in his left hind
hoof so trainer Kazuo Fujisawa brought him back to the barn. "He has a small
issue with his left-hind leg, and we were not happy. So we did not go to the
track," Nobutaka Tada, a spokesman for Fujisawa, said. "We have not yet
scratched him from the race. We think it might be a small stone bruise and we
will watch it closely."
This afternoon are the Brooklyn Handicap (G2) at 1 1/2 miles and the Hill Prince Stakes (G3) at 1 mile on the turf for the 3-year-olds, so post them later this evening.
Macho Again galloped and exited the track via the paddock on Friday morning. Here he is walking back through the barn area afterwards.
Big Brown came out on Friday morning for a slow jog once around the track at Belmont Park. First he stood on the track for a while then started his jog. Right is Big Brown on the horse path from his barn to the track. Left is him standing watching the other horses before he starts his jog.
Once Big Brown finished his jog, he walked back to the barn with a hoard of photographers in hot pursuit. Right is him slowing down at the end of his jog. Left is him walking back to the barn on the horse path.
Denis of Cork came out for a gallop Friday morning. Left is him galloping. Right is while he was walking the shedrow to cool down afterwards.
Guadalcanal, the last minute entry to the Belmont Stakes, was out for a gallop as well. Here he is coming off the track.
Triple Crown quick links:
Da' Tara shocks in the 2008 Belmont Stakes - Longest shot on the board Da' Tara led the whole way, drawing off to win by 5 1/4 lengths over Denis of Cork. Heavy favorite Big Brown came up empty and was eased, finishing last. Get the results, chart, and photos here.
More Belmont Day Photos - 16 more photos including Shaquille O’Neal, the unused Triple Crown trophy, and more.
Manhattan Handicap and Just a Game Stakes Results - On the Belmont undercard, Dancing Forever just got up at the wire to beat favorite Out of Control in the Manhattan Handicap, while Ventura held off top choice Lady of Venice in the Just a Game Stakes. Get the results, chart, and photos here.
Acorn Stakes, True North Handicap, and Woody Stephens Stakes Results - Also on the Belmont undercard, Zaftig upset favorite Indian Blessing in the Acorn, top choice Benny the Bull got up in the final stride of the True North Handicap, and J Be K won wire-to-wire in the Woody Stephens Stakes. Get the results, chart, and photos here.
2008 Belmont Entries - A field of 10 was entered with Big Brown drawing post #1. Get all the horses, posts, and odds here.
