Triple Crown contender “I’ll Have Another” scratched from Belmont race

Jan Young
InstantRiverside.com

In a shocking announcement this morning, Belmont Stakes favorite and Triple Crown contender, I’ll Have Another, has been scratched from tomorrow’s Belmont horse race and could possibly be fully retired from racing.

The report came shortly after 9:00 a.m. Pacific time, when it was announced that during this morning’s routine practice, there appeared to be a problem with his stride. After a thorough examination, it was determined that the horse is suffering from the onset of tendonitis. According to the Associated Press, further reports from the inner circle are that I’ll Have Another is “sound and happy, but not worth the risk” of further injury.

Trainer Doug O’Neill was a telephone guest this morning on the syndicated sports talk program, The Dan Patrick Show, and said then that ”It’s not tragic, but it’s a huge disappointment”.

I’ll Have Another, who has a bit of Cinderella story, won the April 12 Santa Anita Derby by a nose. The 3-year-old chestnut colt then went on to win the Kentucky Derby on May 5, and the Preakness two weeks later, bringing high hopes and worldwide fanfare to be the first Triple Crown winner in 34 years.

Affirmed was the last to achieve horse racing’s pinnacle in 1978.

Dale Romans, trainer of Belmont’s second favorite Dullahan, was quoted as saying, ”It’s devastating. I thought this was going to be one of the greatest races in history, and I wanted the opportunity to be part of it. But this is bigger than that. This is terrible news.”

NBC-LA has reported that in a ceremonial tribute, jockey Mario Gutierrez will ride I’ll Have Another as he leads the post-parade on Saturday for the Belmont Stakes.

Tweeted earlier today by @Ill_HaveAnother: “The goal was always the Kentucky Derby, everything after has been the cherry on the sundae, guess we are at the end of the bowl. #agoodrun”

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