Three weeks is a long wait between the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. It feels even longer this year; Big Brown appears destined to complete the first Triple Crown in 30 years, but every day is an opportunity for complications. Tomcito (50-1), for example, was pulled from the Belmont on Sunday because of congestion.

Spark Candle (50-1) will race instead in Friday’s Grade III Hill Prince Stakes, leaving a probable field of nine for Saturday’s main event. Big Brown was 1-3 at press time. Casino Drive was the second favorite at 7-2, followed by Denis of Cork at 10-1.

The official field, including post positions, will be announced on Wednesday. Big Brown had new sutures put in his left front foot on Saturday; he galloped the full 1.5 miles at Pimlico on Sunday. Denis of Cork is expected to fly in from Churchill Downs on Tuesday with Preakness runner-up Macho Again (40-1).