This is what a quarter crack looks like; similar to the injury to Big Brown’s front left hoof.

It’s been quite a few years since we were this close to seeing a Triple Crown winner. Big Brown is poised to be the first one since 1978, but the Belmont Stakes is the toughest race for a horse to win.

Here’s an early look at the field and the odds each horse is currently getting:

Big Brown 2/7
Casino Drive 4/1
Denis Of Cork 12/1
Tale Of Ekati 20/1
Behindatthebar 25/1
Anak Nakal 50/1
Macho Again 50/1
Readys Image 50/1
Icabad Crane 50/1
Mint Lane 50/1
Spark Candle 50/1
Tomcito 50/1

The natural pick is the favorite Big Brown to win the third jewel, but many think that late-bloomer Casino Drive has the long legs and distance pedigree to win the Belmont. Denis of Cork is another good pick at 12/1. He’s another distance-bred horse, and seems to have returned to the form that won him the Southwest Stakes in February.

One news item to watch over the next fortnight is the condition of Big Brown’s left front hoof, which reportedly has a “quarter crack” in it. His handlers are optimistic that Big Brown will be able to run in the Belmont.