NEW YORK — Big Brown's cracked left front hoof is improving daily and held up well today in his final workout before the Belmont Stakes and his bid for the Triple Crown.

Trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. will wait until Friday to have a patch applied. Hoof specialist Ian McKinlay suggested putting on the patch Saturday, the morning of the Belmont.

Dutrow, however, doesn't want to deal with it on what could be a historic day.

"This is just a slight, slight crack," McKinlay said Monday. "As the clock ticks, it's gotten better and better. We're being extra cautious because he's heading toward the Triple Crown."

Big Brown ran 5 furlongs in a minute today.

"There's not any issues with our horse," Dutrow said. "He's right on target. He's by far the best horse in the race."

Dutrow said Big Brown's hoof held up well in the workout and there was no blood spotted in the hoof afterward.

"He jumped over a big hurdle today," the trainer said.