Doug O'Neill announced on the Dan Patrick show this morning that I'll Have Another, the 3-year-old colt going for the first Triple Crown sweep since 1978, has been scratched from Saturday's Belmont Stakes.
I'll Have Another at Preakness
I'll Have Another, the 3 year old colt going for the Triple Crown at Belmont has been scratched from the race.
"I'll Have Another is officially out of the Belmont," O'Neill said on the program and explained that the colt is suffering from tendonitis in his left front leg, a condition that could possibly end his racing careerand causes various degrees of lameness in the horse.
According to trainer O'Neill, the colt went to the track early on Friday morning, trying to avoid the noise and congestion of the detention barn. Belmont Stake starters are only allowed on the track from 8:30 to 8:45 but they can come out earlier if they choose, and that's what O'Neill decided, a day before the Belmont. I'll Have Another jogged a half-mile and then galloped an "easy" mile in company with stablemate Lava Man.
I'll Have Another was set to attempt to become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978. The horse was listed as the odds-on favorite at 4-5 in Wednesday's morning line.
A news conference is planned for later today andEquiMed news will be updated with additional information as soon as it is available.
Read to learn more about lameness in horses