Big Brown was brought out to the track on Tuesday. The dual-Classic winner was again out on Wednesday at Belmont Park in New York. He galloped over a distance of 2400 metres. The object was to let him exercise and keep him fit. Michelle Nevin, Big Brown’s regulat exercise rider, was aboard.
Dr Ian McKinlay is treating the three year-old colt and had this to say. “He continues to get better. Obviously, we’re being cautious but he is right on track. He is not a quick healer as he has shown with other injuries.”
A ‘wire lace’ has been used to close the crack.
The lace will stay until a patch is put in the area. Dr McKinlay further said, “right now, everything is healing naturally which is what you want to see.”
Casino Drive, the Japanese star, is in the Belmont field. The Belmont Stakes will be Casino Drive’s third career start. On Wednesday, Casino Drive, a Mineshaft colt, worked 1000 metres in 1 minute 12.
25 seconds and completed 1200 metres in 1 minute 25 seconds.
Nobu Tada, manager for owner Hidetoshi Yamamoto, was pleased. “The time clocked may not please the experts. That’s exactly what we wanted. The way he moved was very good.
His breath was really good after the work.”
Curlin is getting ready for his next start. The Dubai Wotld Cup hero worked 1200 metres in 1 minute 12.2 seconds at Churchill Downs on Monday. He is scheduled to race in the Grade I Stephen Foster on June 14.
The Churchill Downs racing office has indicated that it is having a difficult time finding horses to oppose Curlin.
Trainer Steve Asmussen was on hand. “He was not as smooth as he is when he’s perfect, but he went really well.”
Panty Raid, a mare who two Grade I races, one on the grass and the other on an all weather surface, has been retired. Todd Pletcher was the trainer.
Panty Raid won the Spinster Stakes at Keeneland and the American Oaks on turf. She earned $1,052,380. She tore a suspensory ligament necessitating a break in the training schedule. The decision was taken to retire her.
The Prix du Jockey Club, the French Derby, will be run at Chantilly on Sunday.
It is the seventh race in an eight-event card. Post Time is 5 35 P M Paris local time on Sunday.
There is a mandatory 20-horse limit. At the moment, there are 25 acceptors.
There is a filly standing her ground and she is Natagora, winner of the English 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on June 4.
No filly has won the French Derby. Until 2005, the French Derby was run over 2400 metres. In 2005, Shamardal, Frankie Dettori up, held the fast-finishing Hurricane Run, Christophe Soumillon aboard, in the shortened 2100-metre trip.
In 2006, Soumillon won with Darsi for the Aga Khan after failing in the Epsom Derby the day before with the strongly fancied Visindaar. Lawman and Dettori made every post a winning one in 2007.
The French Derby carries a purse of 1.5 million Euros, The winner’s share is 857,100 Euros. The 2007 edition marks the 168th running of the Jockey Club.
The admission fee is eight euros for the Derby. Fans over 60 pay four Euros.
Children under 18 are admitted free.
There was a downpour in Paris on Tuesday evening. After a shower or two on Wednesday, the three following days are supposed to provide sunshine. Perfect weather is forecast for Sunday. The going will be good to soft fot the French Derby.
I go from Chicago to Paris late Thursday afternoon. You will have a first hand account from Chantilly. On Saturday, I plan to be at Longchamp for an afternoon meeting.
The Derby at Epsom Downs and the Oaks are wide open. Several stars have fallen by the wayside.
The Oaks will be on Friday, June 6 and the Derby will be contested on June 7. Yours truly will be on hand to send reports out to Indiarace. From Paris, I head to London.
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