Belmont Stakes: I’ll Have Another Suffers Injury, Won’t Race

Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner I’ll Have Another will not be claiming a Triple Crown in 2012 after the colt’s trainer Doug O’Neill revealed on The Dan Patrick Show on Friday that the colt has suffered an injury.

According to trainer Doug O’Neill:

“It’s not tragic, but it’s a huge disappointment.”

The colts trainer did not disclose what the injury was, only that I’ll Have Another will be unable to race on Saturday.

According to reports the colt is suffering pain int he left front leg.

If I’ll Have Another had managed to pull off a victory they would have been the first horse since Affirmed in 1978 to win a Triple Crown.

When asked if the colt had raced its last race O’Neill responded:

“If I had to wager … I would say yes.”

According to the Dan Patrick website:

“O’Neill said [I’ll Have Another] 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.

Just one day prior to the announcement I’ll Have Another was a 4-5 favorite to win the Belmont Stake.

Are you surprised by this sudden announcement? In a sport where championship horses can race millions of dollars in breeding programs I can’t say I am ultimately surprised that I’ll Have Another is being sparred a potentially crippling race.