I’ll Have Another Will Not Run at Belmont, Erases Chance of Winning Triple Crown
I’ll Have Another will not run at the 144th Belmont Stakes on Saturday. The horse, who was vying to become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978, was ruled out by his trainer Doug O’Neill, who spoke about the matter on ‘The Dan Patrick Show’ on radio Friday morning.
He’s got tendonitis in his left front tendon,” O’Neill said. “He’s not 100 percent, and I ain’t taking any chances.”
After winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, I’ll Have Another has trained at Belmont for the past week and seemed to be ready for Saturday’s race. The Belmont Park morning line had established I’ll Have Another as a 4-5 favorite.
The New York Racing Association has called a 1 p.m. ET news conference to address the matter. O’Neill and owner Paul Reddam are expected to attend and address questions concerned I’ll Have Another’s future.