Trainer Danny Gargan reports that Dornoch is ready for the Kentucky Derby (G1) on May 4th, after receiving routine care this week at Churchill Downs due to a quarter crack in the colt's right front hoof. The 3-year-old son of Good Magic first developed it last fall.
A quarter crack, as defined by the American Association of Equine Practitioners, is a flaw in the hoof that is situated in the quarter of the hoof, between the horse's toe and heel. The AAEP says quarter cracks originate at the coronary band and extend at an angle toward the ground.
Gargan thinks he knows the key to keeping 2023 Kentucky Derby champion Mage's full sibling content and healthy.
"You fly in Ian McKinlay, the world's best," Gargan noted of the farrier. "He was here all week. He checked him last week, checked him again the other day."
Among horsemen, McKinlay is recognized as one of the top farriers in the country. McKinlay flew out to work on the feet of Rich Dutrow Jr. trained White Abarrio and added glue-on shoes that carried the grey/roan to victory in America's richest race prior to the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) at Santa Anita Park last fall.
In addition to working on Fierceness's feet, McKinlay was present at Churchill Downs on May 1 to lace up Dornoch's quarter crack and guarantee the colt will be at his peak on Saturday.
"We always check it right before the race, and we work on it accordingly," Gargan remarked. "Today, he got it perfect. Now we're ready."
Thanks to the efforts of McKinlay and Gargan, Dornoch remains on course to become the first sibling of a Derby winner to win the first leg of the Triple Crown, a distinction that would go into history. Despite the hoof problem, Dornoch has finished first in three of his past four races, winning the Remsen Stakes (G2) and Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) for owners Pine Racing Stables, West Paces Racing, R. A. Hill Stable, Belmar Racing and Breeding, and Two Eight Racing. He placed fourth in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland on April 6 in his previous race.
Prior to the Derby, Churchill Downs was concentrating on equine safety due to a spike in deadly injuries that plagued their big week the year before, which forced the annual spring meet to move to Ellis Park in Henderson, Kentucky for the last month.
Gargan is not concerned that Dornoch's foot will affect his chances of starting or winning during Derby week at Churchill Downs, even though veterinarians are likely to examine horses more closely.
"The vets love him; he's a beautiful mover," Gargan stated. "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."