Casino Drive was scratched from the 140th running of the Belmont Stakes because of a stone bruise to his left hind hoof. The colt jogged three furlongs early Saturday morning, and appeared to be in fine shape.
But Casino Drive?s racing manager Nobutaka Tada said the colt was favoring the hoof while taking a bath after the workout. Tada said it was a minor injury, but owner Hidetoshi Yamamoto did not want to take any chances with the Peter Pan champ, especially in the grueling mile and a half marathon.
The horse will be shipped back to Japan on Tuesday, but could return later this year to run in the Breeders? Cup.
But Casino Drive?s racing manager Nobutaka Tada said the colt was favoring the hoof while taking a bath after the workout. Tada said it was a minor injury, but owner Hidetoshi Yamamoto did not want to take any chances with the Peter Pan champ, especially in the grueling mile and a half marathon.
The horse will be shipped back to Japan on Tuesday, but could return later this year to run in the Breeders? Cup.
