I'll Have Another Horse: Why Horse Racing Needs Triple Crown Champion

I'll Have Another is poised to be the greatest thing to happen to horse racing since saddles. This amazing colt will walk into the gates at the Belmont on June 9 with a chance to run himself into the history books by winning the Triple Crown.

A feat that will instantly give him the status of being one of the most well-known and revered horses of all time. Despite the iconic status this horse will receive, it is the sport that will benefit the most. 

I don't think I'm breaking any news here by saying horse racing is not as high up the sporting totem pole as it used to be. A quick Google search and you'll find plenty of people talking about horse racing being a dying sport. 

This year has proven that horse racing is not as close to its grave as some would have you believe, but that doesn't change the fact that the sport needs I'll Have Another to become the first Triple Crown winner since 1978. 

To see that the sport is hanging in there, look no further than the first two legs of the Triple Crown. Both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness set attendance records, and the Preakness had its sixth-highest total in wagers in its history. 

Interest in the Triple Crown appears to be near a high. Now is the time for that interest to be rewarded with something entertaining and memorable—like a Triple Crown winner. 

Having a horse—any horse—pull this off is memorable enough, but it will be even more rewarding if I'll Have Another does it. 

This is a blue-collar horse. He has never been met with high hopes or expectations. He was purchased for a little more than $11,000, and he is being ridden by a jockey in Mario Gutierrez that has never had anywhere near this kind of success.

This is the stuff of legend. This is the kind of story the public can rally around. The kind that will get people talking about horse racing and create new fans. 

This will be a nice boost for the sport and help propel to a healthy future.