http://www.nesn.com/2012/06/ill-hav...s-hopes-of-first-triple-crown-since-1978.html
I'll Have Another Won't Run in Belmont Stakes, Erases Hopes of First Triple Crown Since 1978 by Mike Cole on Fri, Jun 8, 2012 at 11:40AM Comments (24) inShare1 I'll Have AnotherHorse racing was dealt a devastating blow on Friday morning. Trainer Doug O'Neill confirmed that his horse, I'll Have Another, won't run in the Belmont Stakes on Saturday afternoon. O'Neill confirmed that news on The Dan Patrick Show. O'Neill cited injury as the reason the horse won't run in the race. "It's his left front leg," O'Neill told the show. "This morning, he looked perfect. I took him and did a little something with him and after training, the swelling came back." O'Neill also said that the horse looked like it was suffering from tendinitis. I'll Have Another was looking to win the first Triple Crown since Affirmed took home all three of horse racing's biggest races in 1978. "We ain't taking any chances," he said. "There are people who are going to want to slap me around, but I have to do what's best for the horse." O'Neill also told the show that he doesn't see I'll Have Another racing again. The horse improbably won the Kentucky Derby, entering the race at 15-to-1 odds. I'll Have Another then captured the imagination of horse racing fans by winning the Preakness last month.
Read more at: http://www.nesn.com/2012/06/ill-hav...s-hopes-of-first-triple-crown-since-1978.html
-murphhttp://www.nesn.com/2012/06/ill-hav...s-hopes-of-first-triple-crown-since-1978.html
I'll Have Another Won't Run in Belmont Stakes, Erases Hopes of First Triple Crown Since 1978 by Mike Cole on Fri, Jun 8, 2012 at 11:40AM Comments (24) inShare1 I'll Have AnotherHorse racing was dealt a devastating blow on Friday morning. Trainer Doug O'Neill confirmed that his horse, I'll Have Another, won't run in the Belmont Stakes on Saturday afternoon. O'Neill confirmed that news on The Dan Patrick Show. O'Neill cited injury as the reason the horse won't run in the race. "It's his left front leg," O'Neill told the show. "This morning, he looked perfect. I took him and did a little something with him and after training, the swelling came back." O'Neill also said that the horse looked like it was suffering from tendinitis. I'll Have Another was looking to win the first Triple Crown since Affirmed took home all three of horse racing's biggest races in 1978. "We ain't taking any chances," he said. "There are people who are going to want to slap me around, but I have to do what's best for the horse." O'Neill also told the show that he doesn't see I'll Have Another racing again. The horse improbably won the Kentucky Derby, entering the race at 15-to-1 odds. I'll Have Another then captured the imagination of horse racing fans by winning the Preakness last month.
Read more at: http://www.nesn.com/2012/06/ill-hav...s-hopes-of-first-triple-crown-since-1978.html
-murphhttp://www.nesn.com/2012/06/ill-hav...s-hopes-of-first-triple-crown-since-1978.html
An undisclosed injury has taken I'll Have Another out of the Belmont Stakes and out of the running for the Triple Crown.
A press conference is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.
There were indications this morning that something was amiss. Trainer Doug O'Neill took I'll Have Another to the track for his morning jog hours earlier than he had been going for the past three weeks. O'Neill then left the Belmont track without speaking to the media, and owner Paul Reddam was also not available. That was highly unusual for what had been a media-friendly group.
"I was watching him this morning," said trainer Ken McPeek, who has two horses in Saturday's race – Unstoppable U and Atigun. "I wanted to see what his energy level was like, his aura, and the screen [on his stall] was closed. I thought, 'What's that about?' There was people in there. It was a little unusual."
Rumors began to circulate late morning that something was wrong with the horse, and O'Neill confirmed the shocking news on The Dan Patrick Show.
"It's too bad," said McPeek. "It's a hard thing. I feel really bad for the connections. I feel terrible for them.
Saturday's Belmont Stakes were highly anticipated, as I'll Have Another was on the cusp of becoming the first horse since Affirmed in 1978 to win the Triple Crown. Never a favorite in any of his races, the three-year-old I'll Have Another was a 4/5 favorite to win the final leg of the horse racing's most elusive prize.
"Now he said it's wide open," McPeek said.
A press conference is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.
There were indications this morning that something was amiss. Trainer Doug O'Neill took I'll Have Another to the track for his morning jog hours earlier than he had been going for the past three weeks. O'Neill then left the Belmont track without speaking to the media, and owner Paul Reddam was also not available. That was highly unusual for what had been a media-friendly group.
"I was watching him this morning," said trainer Ken McPeek, who has two horses in Saturday's race – Unstoppable U and Atigun. "I wanted to see what his energy level was like, his aura, and the screen [on his stall] was closed. I thought, 'What's that about?' There was people in there. It was a little unusual."
Rumors began to circulate late morning that something was wrong with the horse, and O'Neill confirmed the shocking news on The Dan Patrick Show.
"It's too bad," said McPeek. "It's a hard thing. I feel really bad for the connections. I feel terrible for them.
Saturday's Belmont Stakes were highly anticipated, as I'll Have Another was on the cusp of becoming the first horse since Affirmed in 1978 to win the Triple Crown. Never a favorite in any of his races, the three-year-old I'll Have Another was a 4/5 favorite to win the final leg of the horse racing's most elusive prize.
"Now he said it's wide open," McPeek said.
it's funny,,,i have defended this guy doug o'neil....now he's on his own...i missed the workout this morning,,,,got over to the track at around 6:30...the even better rumour is that he's walking around with guilty written on his face...now, that's a lil fucked...but pulling the horse out of this race can't help his case
