Casino Drive out of Belmont
Casino Drive, the unbeaten main challenger to Big Brown in today’s Belmont Stakes, has been scratched because of a hoof problem.
Racing manager Nobutaka Tada for Casino Drive’s Japanese connections said the horse was fine during a three-furlong jog early Saturday, but planned to scratch the Peter Pan Stakes winner as a precaution.
Tada classified the injury as minor, but didn’t want to take any chances during the grueling 1 1/2-mile race.
“It’s not serious, it’s just a matter of timing,” Tada said. “The horse is OK.”
Casino Drive developed symptoms on Friday, and was held out of his morning gallop. He was treated with ice overnight and showed no ill effects while on the track early Saturday.
Before being scratched, Kentucky-bred Casino Drive was the 9/2 second choice for the $1 million Belmont. The horse could return to the U.S. for this fall’s Breeders’ Cup.
