Triple Crown contender Big Brown will need a patch on a crack on his left front hoof the morning of the Belmont Stakes, the New York Times reported.

According to the newspaper, hoof specialist Ian McKinlay originally intended to put an acrylic and fiberglass patch on the three-quarters-inch crack on the hoof of the Preakness Stakes and Kentucky Derby winner on Monday. However, when McKinlay changed the colt's steel sutures on Saturday, he told Big Brown's trainer, Rick Dutrow Jr., that the hoof was healing and there wasn't "a hint of blood, a hint of heat, a hint of anything."

"I told Rick to let Big Brown heal on his own," McKinlay told the Times.

McKinlay also told the newspaper, "I know we're taking the safest route possible. I'll just patch him Saturday morning and he'll be fine."

The undefeated Big Brown is trying to become the 12th Triple Crown winner, and the first since Affirmed won all three prestigious races in 1978.

The colt will be tested in Saturday's race by trainer Todd Pletcher's entrant, Ready's Echo, and the unbeaten Casino Drive.