Casino Belmont bid in tatters

Casino Drive has been withdrawn from tonight’s Belmont Stakes due to a bruised left hind foot, according to reports in America.

The slight injury to the colt, considered the main threat to Big Brown’s attempt to complete the US Triple Crown, was discovered when he returned to the stables following a morning workout on Friday.

“We are going to scratch him,” said Nobutaka Tada, racing manager for Japanese owner Hidetoshi Yamamoto.

“This morning we checked and he was OK.

“We sent him to the main track and he cantered, and he came back to the yard OK, no problem.

“Then, he just started again carrying his hind. We checked again and it became warm.

“We are OK because we could make sure before the race. We are sorry we couldn’t meet many people’s expectations. That’s very sad. Many people supported us, helped us. They were cheering for us.”

Tada expected that the bruise should clear up in a couple of days.

“It’s not serious at all. It’s just a matter of time. The horse is OK. We will not worry about the horse. It just happened the day before the race. If it happened last week, we’re fine,” Tada told www.thoroughbredtimes.com.

Unbeaten winner of the Peter Pan Stakes last month, Casino Drive is a half-brother to the last two winners of the Belmont – Jazil in 2006 and filly Rags to Riches last year.

“Definitely it’s disappointing, but I think they’re looking out for the safety of the horse, it’s more important,” said horse’s intended partner, Edgar Prado.

“I know it’s a very prestigious race, but there are so many other races coming up. He’s a nice horse, and they try to look out for what’s best for the horse.”