Triple Crown contender I’ll Have Another has reportedly withdrawn from the race at Belmont, ending hopes to become the first horse since 1978 to win a the coveted title.
Doug O’Neill, the trainer for Triple Crown hopeful I’ll Have Another, told “The Dan Patrick Show” that the horse “is officially out of the Belmont.”
USA Today reports that O’Neill said he looks fine. He said he will walk the horse in front of the media at his 1 p.m. ET press conference to show everyone that the horse is doing well. But he has the beginning of the injury and they can’t run him.
O’Neil continues “It’s not tragic, but it’s a huge disappointment,”
When asked if the horse had has raced his last race O’Neil states: “If I had to wager … I would say yes.”
I’ll have another captured his first win at the Kentucky Derby on May 5th of 2012, edging out front-runner Bodemeister in the closing stages and winning by one and a half lengths in a final time of 2:01.83 for 1 1/4 miles.
Following up his Kentucky Derby win was a victory in the Preakness Stakes on May 19 of 2012. Once again the amazing horse was able to edge out the race favorite Bodemeister in the final strides to win by a neck, finishing the 1 3/16-mile race in a final time of 1:55.94.
O’Neil will hold a news conference at 1 pm to further explain their decision to pull the horse from the race, ending his chance at winning the elusive Triple Crown title.
