Big Brown resumes galloping

Jun 28, 2008 - 7:29 PM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- Big Brown, the reigning Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner, resumed galloping Saturday in preparation for the $1 million Travers Stakes, which will be held August 23 at Saratoga Race Course.

It marked the first time that Big Brown officially galloped since June 7, when he finished last in the Belmont Stakes and failed to become horse racing's first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978.

Three weeks later, Big Brown went out on the Acqueduct track at 6 a.m. and was ridden by exercise rider Michelle Nevin.

"He's been galloping some the wrong way (opposite direction), but today was his first official gallop," trainer Richard Dutrow said. "It was his regular gallop. Everything went well."

Big Brown, who was undefeated prior to Da'Tara's shocking victory in the Belmont, was bothered by a slight quarter crack in his left front hoof in the weeks prior to the race.

Although he was uninjured during the grueling 1 1/2-mile Belmont, Big Brown was eased up at the top of the stretch by jockey Kent Desormeaux.

But Dutrow remained confident about Big Brown when updating the colt's status Friday, claiming that he hoped to run the 3-year-old in the Haskell on August 3.

Dutrow said that Big Brown will have his shoes put back on Monday and could potentially start breezing on Tuesday.

Dutrow ultimately wants Big Brown to be ready for the $5 million Breeders' Cup Classic, which will be held at Santa Anita on October 25.