I'll Have Another: Well-Rested Challengers Will Be Too Fast for Two-Leg Winner

With talented and well-rested horses running at the 2012 Belmont Stakes, I’ll Have Another will come up just short in its Triple Crown bid.

The horse has had an inspiring run so far. The Doug O’Neill-trained colt was a long shot at the Kentucky Derby but ran down favored Bodemeister for a dramatic victory. 

Next, J. Paul Reddam’s horse delivered a nearly identical result at the Preakness Stakes, beating Bodemeister again by an even narrower margin. 

Now, Bodemeister will sit out the Belmont, but other horses that rested during the Preakness will pose a threat to I’ll Have Another’s Triple Crown bid.

History is not on I’ll Have Another’s side, as the previous eight horses to win the first two legs of the Triple Crown came up short at the Belmont.

The challengers that will provide the most competition are Dullahan, at 5-1 odds, and Union Rags, at 6-1 odds.

Dullahan had a very impressive race at the Kentucky Derby, finishing third. There was some contention within the horse’s team over whether or not to race in the Preakness.

Trainer Dale Romans wanted to run at Pimlico, but owner Jerry Crawford felt this was not the correct move. According to Jerry Bossert of the New York Daily News, seeing Dullahan run at Belmont Park has brought Romans over to Crawford’s camp. 

The trainer said, via the same report, “In hindsight, I think Jerry made the right decision.”

Dullahan is hitting its stride and ready to improve on its finish at the Derby, and that does not bode well for I’ll Have Another. 

Union Rags, the horse with the third-best odds to win, did not perform as well at the Derby, finishing seventh. It too sat out the Belmont, and trainer Michael Matz is confident the horse can improve.

He said, via another interview with Bossert, “I just don’t think he had the chance to show his true ability in his last two races. He never had a chance to run in his last two.”

If this horse is able to create some space and let loose, it will pose a serious threat to I’ll Have Another. 

The challengers at the Belmont are too talented and have the big advantage of more rest. While most spectators will be rooting for I’ll Have Another, they are likely to be disappointed as one of the other horses will spoil a chance for the sport to have its first Triple Crown winner in 34 years.