May 27 - All racing eyes are on the big-hearted Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner, Big Brown, who has a real shot at becoming the horse racing world's 12th Triple Crown winner at Belmont next month, and now even more so with news that the colt has suffered a small quarter crack on the inside of his left front foot.

However, Big Brown's trainers have been quick to point out that the crack, which was noticed after his training session on Friday, is fairly minor and that the 3-year-old will most certainly run on June 7th in the Belmont Stakes, for his chance to become the first the first Triple Crown winner since 1978.

They have also confirmed that a quarter crack has appeared in the colt's hoof wall, coming down from the hairline. They were quick to point out that this quarter crack is unrelated to Big Brown's previous foot injuries, that plagued him when he was a two-year-old and again earlier this year.

Said leading horse hoof specialist and carer of Big Brown's feet, Ian McKinlay, 'Big Brown has a slight quarter crack in his left front hoof about five-eighths of an inch long. However, it is not the same as the wall separation that he experienced last fall and in January this year, which resulted painful abscesses.'

While his wall separation issue put Big Brown out of commission for a few weeks, it is not expected that this injury will keep Big Brown out for longer than a few days. He is expected back on the track by no later than Thursday this week.

Said Big Brown trainer, Richard Dutrow Jr, 'While it is scary when something like this occurs, I have been assured by Ian McKinlay that Big Brown will be more than ready to run at the Belmont Stakes. However, if something else happens, then we may find ourselves in trouble.'

Currently Big Brown is being treated with an antiseptic solution of iodine and alcohol to ensure his foot stays clean and remains uninfected. On Wednesday he will be fitted with a patch made of a quarter rack with wires and mesh, after which he will resume training.