Casino Drive questionable for the Belmont

Peter Pan S. (G2) winner CASINO DRIVE (Mineshaft) did not go to the track

Friday morning on the day before the 140th running of the Belmont S. (G1) and

his status for Saturday's 1 1/2-mile classic is now questionable.

"He has a small issue with his left-hind leg, and we were not happy," said

Nobutaka Tada, spokesman for owner Hidetoshi Yamamoto and trainer Kazuo

Fujisawa. "So, we did not go to the track.

"We have not yet scratched him from the race. We think it might be a small

stone bruise and we will watch it closely."

Casino Drive, a half-brother to 2006 Belmont winner Jazil (Seeking the Gold)

and a three-quarter brother to 2007 Belmont heroine Rags to Riches (A.P. Indy),

won the nine-furlong Peter Pan by 5 3/4 lengths in 1:47 4/5 on May 10.

"It was a small movement that we did not like," Tada said. "We want to run in

the Belmont Stakes. He was bred for this race and that is why we are here. We

are planning on running, but we have to be sure he is well."

Casino Drive had a unconventional workout on Thursday beneath jockey Edgar

Prado and did not seem to like the muddy/sealed track. He repeatedly switched

leads through the lane.

Casino Drive, the 7-2 second choice on the morning line, is one of two

undefeated horses entered in the Belmont. The other, undefeated Kentucky Derby

(G1) and Preakness S. (G1) winner BIG BROWN (Boundary), is seeking to become

racing's 12th Triple Crown winner. His record is 5-0, and only Seattle Slew in

1977 ever won the Triple Crown while undefeated.