BREAKING NEWS: I’ll Have Another Scratched from the Belmont Stakes

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I'll Have Another Scratched from the Belmont Stakes

Triple Crown Dreams Are No More for I’ll Have Another

In an appearance on the Dan Patrick show Friday, Dennis O’Neill, the brother of I’ll Have Another’s trainer, Doug O’Neill, made the announcement that the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner will not make a bid for the Triple Crown Saturday. Apparently a tendon problem in the horse’s left leg has O’Neill concerned I’ll Have Another has run his last race. When asked O’Neill replied, ”If I had to wager … yes.”

I’ll Have Another opened as the favorite to win the Belmont Stakes at 4-5 in Wednesday’s morning line. Dennis O’Neill, brother of the horse’s trainer, said I’ll Have Another galloped Friday morning and after a veterinary scan, the tendon seemed “kind of tender.”

“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,” said Dale Romans, trainer of second favorite Dullahan. “But this is bigger than that. This is terrible news.”

I’ll Have Another returned to racing after taking some time off in 2011 to recover from a shin condition. After winning the Robert Lewis Stakes and the Santa Anita Derby, I’ll Have Another was to become the first horse to win the Triple Crown in 34 years. The horse was the 11th to win the first two legs of the Triple Crown but will now be the 12th to do so and not win the Triple Crown since 1978.