'Big Bad' Driver Dilemma?
According to a report, there may be a possible driver dilemma after Big Bad John's open-length victory in his $102,750 division of the Oliver Wendell Holmes
Stakes on Hambletonian Day at the Meadowlands Racetrack.
Previous to the Holmes, the three-year-old son of Western Hanover had been driven by Brett Miller in all of his 2011 starts. David Miller guided the $506,732 winner in the Holmes, and the duo took a front-end trip before striding off to a three and three-quarter-length win in a career-best 1:49.
Little Brown Jug's publicity has quoted the colt's trainer, Ron Potter, as saying, “We have no comment at this time” when asked who will be steering the bay in his next start.
In regard to Big Bad John's big mile in the Holmes, Potter said, “He was back to his old self.” He also explained that another stint at the colt's favourite equine centre seems to have paid off, in spades.
“He spent five days at the Kesmarc Equine Center in Lexington, Kentucky," Potter was quoted as saying. "He swims in the pool and breathes pure oxygen in their oxygen chamber. This is the second time we’ve taken him to Kesmarc and he comes home fresh and in good spirits.”
Potter sent Big Bad John to the centre after Mohawk Racetrack's Pepsi North America Cup. “Both times he has fully recovered.”
The LTJ report has stated that Big Bad John will remain at the Delaware County Fairgrounds until he is shipped to Chester Racetrack for the $500,000 Battle of the Brandywine (August 21).
“He really does much better when we give him a couple of weeks rest between starts," Potter said. "He likes training over his home track.”
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