Casino Drive Injured?

[Stareagle]

From Thoroughbred Daily News:

Casino Drive (Mineshaft), the horse pegged most likely to stymie Big Brown's Triple Crown bid, may be forced to miss Saturday's GI Belmont S. The chestnut colt did not go to the track Friday morning because connections were concerned with a potential injury to his left hind leg. "We were not happy with the way his hind leg was moving," Nobutaka Tada said. "That's the reason he didn't go to the track." The problem has not yet been diagnosed, and it has not yet been determined if the three-year-old will be able to run in the Belmont. "We will see how he is [Saturday]," Tada said. "I can't say anything more right now."

[PaceAdvantage]

The way he's been working super slowly, not changing leads, etc....can't say I'm shocked....

[Marshall Bennett]

Guess this means BB doesn't even need to walk to the gate , he can break from his paddock and win .

[Stareagle]

No, this can't be a surprise, given the last work - not just the time, but the description of how uncomfortable he looked.

It'll be interesting to see the effects of a Casino Drive scratch - he becomes the mythical Super Horse Cut Down In His Prime, while Big Brown has an asterisk put on his Triple Crown.

[PaceAdvantage]

while Big Brown has an asterisk put on his Triple Crown.By whom? Foolish people? (this is a serious question).

[Dr.SwineSmeller]

This makes me sick. Excuse me while I go puke in the pig trough. . SS

[ddog]

asterisk?

what did BB do wrong , if he wins.
nothing about casino drove means anything.

many horses don't make the Belmont every year.

so what.

[DeanT]

It's been said a perfect storm is needed to get a TC winner in modern racing. We got it - good horse, not so great competition, and now the main competition in the Belmont scratched.

Looks like we are going to see it this year.

[46zilzal]

It's been said a perfect storm is needed to get a TC winner in modern racing. We got it - good horse, not so great competition, and now the main competition in the Belmont scratched.

Looks like we are going to see it this year.
Wasn't even the main competition....

[DeanT]

Wasn't even the main competition....

The money being matched on Casino at 4-1 and the offshore odds having him a clear second choice seem to disagree with you, but I never discount a guy with an opinion :)

[russowen77]

There is sure no need for any astriek as far as Big Brown is concerned should he win. He will have beaten a lot of contenders if he wins. He will sure deserve his place among the winners imo at least.

[DrugS]

By whom? Foolish people? (this is a serious question).

I agree with you.

It's fair to say this is a VERY low rated crop of 3-year-old males if you exclude Big Brown (who probably isn't as good as a Silver Charm or Holy Bull imo) ... however, a triple crown sweep is a triple crown speed.

Sir Barton won the triple crown in a foal crop that was less than 2K - a mere 20 times smaller than the size of foal crops now. Sir Barton also entered the Derby as a maiden and was only running to serve the purpose of rabbit for his favored stablemate. You see no * next to his name.

[Dr.SwineSmeller]

By whom? Foolish people? (this is a serious question).

Big Brown has dominated everything that has been thrown at him so far. While Casino is in his class, nothing can be taken from Big Brown's accomplishments should he win the Triple Crown without racing against Casino.
I say a should Big Brown claim the Crown Jewel, his name is deservedly to be written in the Book of Kings.

Dr. SwineSmeller

[WJ47]

Big Brown has dominated everything that has been thrown at him so far. While Casino is in his class, nothing can be taken from Big Brown's accomplishments should he win the Triple Crown without racing against Casino.
I say a should Big Brown claim the Crown Jewel, his name is deservedly to be written in the Book of Kings.

Dr. SwineSmeller

I agree. If Big Brown wins the crown, he'll be the 12th Triple Crown Champion. No asteriks.

When I was in college, I studied for long hours a day to earn mostly A's and make the Dean's List every semester. Other kids in my class skated by with C's and D's. At graduation, we all got a degree. :)

I do agree that its a weak crop of males, but that is good for Big Brown. He's having good luck. Unlike poor Alydar who had the misfortune of being born the same year as Affirmed. That's some bad luck. I couldn't believe it when I read that Casino Drive may be injured. Without Casino Drive, I think Big Brown will get the Crown tomorrow!

[Stareagle]

By whom? Foolish people? (this is a serious question).

A few different groups, including foolish people. There are also the ones who don't like Dutrow or IEAH, and the ones who are using BB as the poster child for steroids.

There are always haters - the people that will say "Yeah, he won the TC, but it was a terrible crop of 3-year-olds, and the best one got hurt and didn't run in the Belmont, and he never faced older horses..."

[46zilzal]

The money being matched on Casino at 4-1 and the offshore odds having him a clear second choice seem to disagree with you, but I never discount a guy with an opinion
Two roads diverged in a wood
And I took the one less traveled by
And that has made all the difference

[Dr.SwineSmeller]

If Casino is indeed injured, even slightly, I hope that Tada scratches Casino from the Belmont. There will be other days. Everytime, for some reason, that I hear of a horse's injury, Go For Wand comes to my mind.

I'll never forget the 1990 Breeders Cup Distaff in what was the best start to finish duel by two champion ladies in the history of the thoroughbred game. I'll always remember the mumbled hush that instantly fell over the loud and rowdy Oaklawn Park simulcast crowd that day. Faces gazed at the big screens in disbelief as if we were waiting for someone to tell us it didn't really happen.

For those who have not witnessed the vivid breakdown of Go For Wand as she dueled the great Bayakoa, here is the video. This video is not for the weak of heart.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNltI2p_Mac

[LemonSoupKid]

I had Casino Drive as my value play and 2nd choice to Big Brown. Tada was just on espn saying that it's not that big of a deal. Maybe they just want to prolong the agony of scratching him because he's been pointed to this race for so long. I have a bad feeling about this. The trainer coming out and saying that he's not doing so well after others have said he looks poor in training. That doesn't sound like a horse who can come near BB who has looked brilliant this week, I'm sorry to say. Well, I'm uncertain either way.

LSK

[Shenanigans]

Casino Drives connections are claiming a bruised back hoof. This is a common injury among trail ponies. I am sure hacking CD all over the Belmont backside didn't help matters.:rolleyes:
If they decide to run Casino, there will be two horses running with blocked feet, so what? IMHO, I didn't think the last few shots of BB working and standing for a bath were all that impressive either.
On another note, I had a bad dream about this race and I will be nervous wreck until it's over and all the horses are safe back in their stalls.

[PaceAdvantage]

If his feet are blocked (either of them), they will be on the list in the racing office. I'll let you know if and when either of their names appear.

And just for clarification, since I'm no expert on the subject, does nerving and blocking mean the same thing?

[HUSKER55]

Well you are right on one point. If anything happens it will be awhile before anyone hears the end of it. That is what nightmares are made of.

husker55

:)

[46zilzal]

And just for clarification, since I'm no expert on the subject, does nerving and blocking mean the same thing?
no one is a anesthetic nerve "block" and the latter is nerve removal (neurectomy)

[winningponies]

I hope Casino Drive races and is healthy. Although it would be nice to see a Triple Crown winner, it would be nicer to see a great Belmont with a fantastic finish (if Big Brown wins or doesn't). I think a great example is the 1998 Belmont. I think that was a much more fantastic race than if Real Quiet cruised along and just won easily and ended the drought.