Empire Maker has bruised foot

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Empire Maker, the favorite for Saturday's 129th Kentucky Derby, has a bruised foot that needed attention from both a veterinarian and a farrier on Tuesday morning at Churchill Downs.

Bobby Frankel, the trainer of Empire Maker, said he did not think the bruise to Empire Maker's right front foot would keep the colt from starting in the Derby. "Don't worry. He's going to be fine," Frankel said. "Put it this way -- if he's not right, he's not going to run."

Empire Maker was scheduled to jog on Tuesday, and did that. Following that, however, Frankel had Dr. Ken Reed, a veterinarian, examine the foot. Later, Steve Norman, a well-respected local farrier, worked on the foot, too.

Norman in 1996 constructed the egg bar shoes that allowed Unbridled's Song to run in the Derby.

Frankel said Empire Maker's shoe was filed and trimmed to relieve pressure on the bruise. He said the colt would have his foot soaked in hot water and Epsom salts on Tuesday, and that he expected Empire Maker to have his scheduled gallop on Wednesday.