I'll Have Another Triple Crown Win Would Alter Perception of Horse Racing

I’ll Have Another is one win at the Belmont Stakes away from completely changing modern horse racing and legitimizing the sport for the current generation.

After consecutive come-from-behind victories over Bodemeister to win the 2012 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, I’ll Have Another is poised to become the poster child for his sport. He will be remembered as a legendary colt that even the staunchest detractors of horse racing will recognize and respect.

No horse has won the United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing since Affirmed pulled off the incredible feat way back in 1978. There have only been 11 horses in history, beginning in 1919 when Sir Barton accomplished the feat, to have accomplished a Triple Crown sweep.

In the time since Affirmed finished in first during the Derby, Preakness and Belmont, there have been 11 horses that have won the first two legs of the Triple Crown but failed at Belmont. In 2008, Big Brown made the last attempt at claiming all three, but came up lame and finished in last place by a mile at Belmont.

I’ll Have Another is trying to avoid the same fate and looks like he has a real shot at doing so. He was able to overcome all of the odds and continually beat what many considered the best horse in the field—Bodemeister.

With his nemesis officially out of the Belmont Stakes, there doesn’t look to be a horse in the field that can keep up with I’ll Have Another on June 9.

Should he win, horse racing will experience an unprecedented surge in popularity in the modern era. It will no longer be considered a sport that many look down upon and associate with degeneracy, but rather an exciting and thrilling event.