Infection hampered Brown Almighty

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Hot Springs, AR (Sports Network) - Brown Almighty, the 3-1 second pick in Monday's Smarty Jones Stakes at Oaklawn Park, was hampered during the race with a lung infection. The 3-year-old colt finished fifth behind longshot Will Take Charge.

"He scoped a five out of five," trainer Tim Ice confirmed Wednesday. "It was really frustrating because he never showed me any signs of it before the race. We got him back to the wash stall and he coughed twice standing there. We scoped him and it was pretty severe."

The horse will be treated with antibiotics. The infection delays any decision on Brown Almighty's next start.

"We want to run in the Southwest, but it's going to be a matter of how much time he needs," said Ice.

The $300,000 Southwest Stakes is on Feb. 18 at Oaklawn Park with the Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds on Feb. 23. The remaining stakes for 3-year-olds at Oaklawn are the Rebel on March 16 and the Arkansas Derby on April 13.