Belmont Stakes 2017: Epicharis equipped with glue-on shoe

Carrot Farm's Japanese stakes winner Epicharis was "walking sound" Friday morning and is still on target for Saturday's Grade 1, $1.5 million Belmont Stakes presented by NYRA Bets, according to NYRA officials.

Epicharis, installed as the 4-1 second choice in the Belmont, was equipped with a glue-on shoe on his right front hoof. Trained by Kiyoshi Hagiwara, the Gold Allure colt was examined by NYRA Chief Examining Veterinarian Dr. Anthony Verderosa at 8 a.m. and walked the shedrow with his exercise rider aboard shortly afterward. 

He will undergo another examination around 3:00 or 3:30 p.m. Friday, said Martin Panza, NYRA's Senior Vice President of Racing Operations, speaking on behalf of the connections.

"He appeared fine this morning," Panza said. "He's walked with a rider up on his back and they're happy with the way he's progressing. He's not going to come out, they're going to work on him this afternoon with ice. They feel confident they can make the race tomorrow, but they're still going to monitor the horse. Obviously, the horse comes first and if there's any problems, then they'll reevaluate."

On Wednesday afternoon, Epicharis was treated for lameness in his right front, according to New York State Gaming Commission records, after his connections noticed that the Grade 2 UAE Derby runner-up was favoring that foot.

"He was off just a little bit two days ago and that happens occasionally," said Panza. "He was walking sound yesterday and he continues to walk sound today, so they're pretty confident that he's OK. ... [but] certainly, the horse comes first and there's always going to be another race."