Bodog Beat

Despite a cracked hoof, Big Brown is still the overwhelming favorite to sweep the Triple Crown. (AP Images)

Shortly after noon on Friday, Foot Specialist Ian McKinlay, spent about a half hour applying an acrylic patch to protect the quarter crack on the inside of Big Brown’s left front hoof.

Big Brown is attempting to be the first Triple Crown winner in 30 years. He developed this quarter crack three weeks ago after his Preakness victory.

"If that patch comes off, I might as well quit," McKinlay said. "That patch will stay on three or four months if we want. This is so run-of-the-mill."

McKinlay said he first had to "debride any loose material" in the crack, then "create a surface for the patch to bind to." He also said there was “not heat, no sign of infection” and commented that Big Brown has had previous work on his hoof’s and is “a super patient”.

There's a little bit of fiberglass, and a methacrylic patch," McKinlay said. "It's stronger than his hoof wall."

“Everything I see couldn't be better,” he said. "Everything just went letter perfect."

McKinlay won’t be attending the race but said "I don't expect anything to go wrong," he said. "I'll be watching on TV with some friends and people from our church."

Michelle Nevin, Big Brown’s regular exercise rider, took the Belmont Stakes favorite for his routine 1 ½ mile gallop Friday morning on the main track. Get your Belmont Stakes odds in the Bodog Racebook now.