I'll Have Another's Triple Crown Bid Derailed by Tendon Injury

I'll Have Another's bid to become the first Triple Crown winner in 34 years has come to an end, according to trainer Doug O'Neill, who made the announcement on The Dan Patrick Show.

"

Doug O'Neill: "I'll Have Another is officially out of the Belmont."

— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) June 8, 2012"

It is being reported that the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes champion suffered a tendon injury that will force him to miss the Belmont Stakes on Saturday. The three-year-old colt was attempting to become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978.

I'll Have Another was preparing for his third race in five weeks dating back to the Kentucky Derby. It was the most aggressive schedule of his young career, but it is currently unclear how or when the reported injury occurred.

He was the heavy favorite leading up to race day with morning line odds of 4-5. Since main challenger Bodemeister, the second-place finisher in the Derby and the Preakness, decided to skip the Belmont, I'll Have Another was the clear front-runner.

His attempt to win the Triple Crown was supposed to provide a boost to the sport of horse racing. Since Affirmed won it all, 11 horses were in the same position as I'll Have Another but came up short at the Belmont. 

I'll Have Another's strong stretch runs made for exciting races that captivated the mainstream audience and set up Belmont as a must-see event. Without his presence, that will no longer be the case.

It remains unknown what the future holds for the talented horse, but he will not be in the Belmont and will not win the Triple Crown.