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| Sumita Pawar |
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In preparation for the 4th May Gr.1 Kentucky Derby, trainer Danny Gargan has given Dornoch the green light after the colt underwent routine work this week at Churchill Downs on a quarter crack found in his right front hoof. Dornoch, a 3YO son of Good Magic, had initially developed the crack last fall.
As per the American Association of Equine Practitioners, a quarter crack refers to a defect situated in the quarter of the hoof that lies between the toe and heel of the horse's foot. The AAEP explains that quarter cracks begin at the coronary band and extend at an angle towards the ground.
Gargan is confident that he has discovered the secret to keeping Dornoch, the full brother of 2023 Kentucky Derby winner Mage, content and healthy.
"You fly in Coincidentally, it was another son of Mineshaft, Senor Buscador, won the Group One US$ 20 million feature in Riyadh.
"He was here all week; he checked him last week, checked him again the other day."
McKinlay is a highly regarded farrier among horsemen in the United States. He made headlines during the Gr.1 Breeders' Cup Classic held last fall at Santa Anita Park, where he flew out to work on the feet of the Rick Dutrow Jr.-trained White Abarrio. McKinlay added glue-on shoes that helped the gray/roan horse win America's richest race.
In addition to his work with White Abarrio, McKinlay has also been busy working on the feet of Derby morning-line favorite Fierceness. He was present at Churchill Downs on 1st May to lace up Dornoch's quarter crack. McKinlay's efforts were aimed at ensuring that the colt will perform at his best on Saturday.
"We always check it right before the race, and we work on it accordingly," Gargan said. "Today, he got it perfect. Now we're ready."
The work done by McKinlay and Gargan has kept Dornoch on track for a chance to make history as the only full sibling of a Derby winner to also win first leg of the Triple Crown. Despite the hoof issue, Dornoch has won three of his last four races, including victories in the Gr.2 2023 Remsen Stakes and Gr.2 Fountain of Youth Stakes for owners West Paces Racing, R. A. Hill Stable, Belmar Racing and Breeding, Two Eight Racing, and Pine Racing Stables'. In his last start, he finished fourth in the Gr.1 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland 6th April.
There is a focus on equine safety at Churchill Downs leading into the Derby after an increased spate of fatal injuries plagued their marquee week last year and pushed the final month of the annual spring meet to Ellis Park in Henderson, Ky.
Veterinarians are expected to use extra scrutiny when reviewing horses running Derby week at Churchill Downs, but Gargan is not worried that the foot will impact Dornoch's chances at starting or winning.
"The vets love him; he's a beautiful mover," Gargan said. "I've had no problems with the vets. They've jogged both my horses (Gargan also trains Derby-entrant Society Man) up twice. They know about the foot. They've looked at it, they've squeezed on it. They have no problems with it."