Belmont Stakes I’ll Have Another Triple Crown Dream Scratched
Euphoria has turned to shock and sadness as the Triple Crown Championship anticipation bubble has burst. We will be down to just 11 runners in the Belmont Stakes when the thoroughbreds head to the post 6:40 PM ET on Saturday, June 9, 2012 from Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. In a shocking development announced at Belmont Park potential Triple Crown Champion, I’ll Have Another, has been scratched from the race with a leg injury.
I’ll Have Another: Championship Dream Ends
With visions of Secretariat and his track record 2:24:00 win (by 31 lengths) back in 1973, or the torrid stretch duel between Alydar and Affirmed when we witnessed our last Triple Crown Champion in 1978 dancing in our head, we were eagerly anticipating what was set to be an amazing day at the “Big Sandy” on Saturday.
It will still be an awesome race – even without the Triple Crown on the line. Morning line favorite, I’ll Have Another has been scratched from the race due to a swollen left front tendon. His trainer, Doug O’Neill stated on the ESPN “The Dan Patrick Show” that the horse – that could have been a Triple Crown Champion, might never race again.
Kentucky Derby Runners Bring The Biggest Challenge Now
Make no mistake this is an entirely new race now as I’ll Have Another was the prohibitive chalk and the class of the race. Without the morning line favorite, Dullahan and Union Rags, who both ran in the Kentucky Derby, will now be the new favorites in the Belmont Stakes. Without the Canadian Champion in the race, we’ll be backing a 2-3-5 exacta box on Saturday.
If there’s a silver lining to the Triple Crown Championship dream being crushed, it’s comes in the form of bigger possible payments to winning horse handicappers. Non-Derby winners Paynter and Street Life could also be factors in the Belmont and may add to exotic bet payouts. Check out our top ranked Racebooks for all your Belmont betting needs!
