Triple Crown 2012: I'll Have Another Doesn't Need Bodemeister to Validate Win

Bodemeister has been I'll Have Another's biggest Triple Crown challenger thus far, but I'll Have Another does not need Bodemeister to validate a Belmont Stakes victory.

Bodemeister will not run in the 2012 Belmont Stakes after failing to win both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes.

Some horse racing fans may say that I'll Have Another needs his ultimate competitor to confirm his Triple Crown worth. That is not the case.

Let's take a look at why I'll Have Another's Triple Crown year measures up with, or without, Bodemeister.

Solid Competition

I'll Have Another has defeated the likes of Union Rags, Dullahan, Creative Cause and Gemologist en route to the Belmont Stakes.

These are all good horses more than capable of beating I'll Have Another, anytime.

Let's not forget that I'll Have Another was a long shot entering the Kentucky Derby. He may be a considered favorite now, but these horses were all right in line with his hopes entering the race at Churchill Downs.

Bodemeister was the favorite entering both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes. I'll Have Another shocked him twice.

This proves I'll Have Another's advantage over Bob Baffert's prized horse.

Why Should He Have to Beat Bodemeister for a Third Time?

I'll Have Another has entered two Triple Crown as Bodemeister's second fiddle. Both times, I'll Have Another has defied those odds.

Why would I'll Have Another need to beat Bodemeister a third time? He beat him twice. He has chased Bodemeister down two separate backstretches, and won two major races.

I'll Have Another would need to validate his Triple Crown if the best horse sat out all three races, not if the best horse races in two of the three contests.

He proved his mettle, showed his speed and was able to close out his biggest challenger on a major stage.

I'll Have Another's story this year is incredible. He has gone from long shot to Triple Crown favorite. Anyone saying his Triple Crown dreams are not valid because of Bodemeister's Belmont absence is just being silly.