“I’m going to breeze him just the way he is and give him more time to let Ian (hoof specialist McKinlay) put the patch on the day before the race,” Dutrow said. “The longer we wait the better. As long as he gallops and trains like he did today that’s exactly what we’re going to do.

"He could patch him right now and we could breeze him (Monday), but we have time and the horse is very good. So, there’s nothing for us to rush into. We’ll just see how things are (Monday); today was a very good day. He looks better now than ever; this is the best he’s ever looked. It’s just incredible what’s happening with this horse.”

Big Brown looked strong galloping Sunday morning and received a round of applause from the “Breakfast at Belmont” crowd, most of whom were lined up along the rail, as he went by.