Kentucky Derby Winner: Why I'll Have Another Can Win Triple Crown

I'll Have Another won the Kentucky Derby in impressive fashion with Bodemeister in second and Dullahan finishing in third, making him the favorite to win the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing this year.

The race started out with Bodemeister leading from the get-go. He held on to the lead until the final 150 yards. Then, I'll Have Another turned on the jets to overtake Bodemeister to win the race by a length-and-a-half. 

I'll Have Another was ridden by jockey Mario Gutierrez, a newcomer to the Kentucky Derby, owned by Paul Reddam and trained by Doug O'Neil. They were given 15-1 odds to win at the start of the race, so if you bet on them you're sitting pretty right about now.

Both rider and horse rose to the occasion and showed up the heavy favorites when it seemed like the race was finished. This sets them up to take a shot at winning the Triple Crown in 2012—a feat that hasn't been accomplished since Affirmed did it way back in 1978.

I'll Have Another has the skills and demeanor to accomplish this goal.

He is strong and built to last the extra distance. The Triple Crown races are slightly longer—by one-eighth of a mile—than most races, meaning that the fastest horses don't always win.

This was clearly evident down the stretch at the Kentucky Derby, as Bodemeister fizzled out and I'll Have Another picked up steam. And it seems like the colt is just getting started.

James Scully of NBCSports.com said this about I'll Have Another before the Derby:

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He can be placed anywhere during the early stages with his cruising speed and his jockey, Derby newcomer Mario Gutierrez, will be able to avoid trouble while establishing a good stalking position during the long run to the first turn. I’ll Have Another found another gear in the stretch of both starts this year and possesses the push-button acceleration that is a common trait in Derby winners. 

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I'll Have Another's victory—combined with the fact that he won both the races he competed in earlier this year at the Santa Anita Derby and Robert B. Lewis Stakes—shows he's primed and ready to continue peaking.

Horses are a bit like people; they need confidence and pride to compete at their best.

I'll Have Another is just getting started. His confidence is surely swelling after such an impressive victory.

Triple Crown, watch out. I'll Have Another would like to have another.

Follow @JesseReed78