Dislodged Shoe Might Have Hindered Big Brown In Belmont

New York, NY (AHN) - A photo taken during the early stages of the Belmont Stakes has revealed Big Brown was running with a loose shoe, according to a report in Monday's editions of Newsday.

According to the New York newspaper, The Blood-Horse magazine published a photo in its June 21 issue showing a dislodged shoe on the horse's right hind hoof about a furlong into the Belmont.

Michael Iavarone, a co-president of International Equine Acquisitions Holdings - Big Brown's stable - told Newsday that freelancer photographer Russ Milton e-mailed him two close-up shots.

"The picture shocked me," Iavarone said, according to the report. "When the shoe spread, a nail could have been pinching him. Or he could have been stepping on a hot nail, which would have been worse. I'm guessing the nail went back in but not in the same spot. Or it could have been a loose shoe, which would be like trying to run with a wobbly cleat.

"Any of those things would be significant for a horse running a mile and a half. The [deep] track was my original explanation. But now I'm thinking the shoe was dislodged during the race and incorrectly reset while he was running."