Affirmed remains the last horse to win the American Triple Crown after the glory bid of Big Brown was left in tatters following the Belmont Stakes in New York.

Casino Drive has been withdrawn from tonight’s Belmont Stakes due to a bruised left hind foot, according to reports in America.

Connections of Big Brown are adamant his quest for the Triple Crown will not be unhinged by fatigue.

Big Brown looked a potential US Triple Crown hero when powering to victory in the Kentucky Derby though the race was marred by a fatal injury to runner-up Eight Belles.

Ante-post favourite Big Brown must defy a welter of statistics if he is triumph from the outside draw in Saturday’s Kentucky Derby.