Big Brown has more than one 'crack' at American Triple Crown

By MARCUS TOWNEND, HORSERACING CORRESPONDENT Updated: 14:31 EST, 6 June 2008

Big Brown faces his date with destiny at Belmont Park today with his trainer Rick Dutrow Jnr insisting there are no cracks in his imposing colt's armoury.

The brilliant Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner only has to add the Belmont Stakes to his cv to become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978.

Late worry: Triple Crown hopeful Big Brown walks with exercise rider Michelle Nevin after his morning training session at Belmont Park

But, with a crack in his left foot being the talk of American racing, especially after the fatal breakdown of the Derby runner-up Eight Belles, the build-up has not been straightforward.

Yesterday a hoof specialist applied an acrylic and fibreglass patch to the suspect area which sets in minutes and is reputedly stronger than the hoof itself.

Big Brown has had more serious foot issues and Dutrow and several veterinarians believe the latest setback will not stop him running his rivals ragged over a mile and a half at the New York track.

"It's all healed,"Dutrow Jnr said yesterday. "Naturally, we had to worry about it."

In the end, it will be the New York Racing Association vets who determine whether the colt starts.

He won't be the first Triple Crown hope to be dogged by bad luck. Spectacular Bid's attempt was dashed in 1979 when he stepped on a safety pin on the morning of the Belmont.

The pin was still lodged in his hoof when he trailed in third.