I'll Have Another Goes Down: Now, Paynter Is Horse to Watch at Belmont Stakes

After winning two out of the three legs of the Triple Crown, I'll Have Another has been scratched from the Belmont Stakes due to tendinitis in the lower leg.

Speaking to Jerry Bossert of The New York Daily News, trainer Doug O'Neill announced it would be unwise and dangerous to race the colt and he is upset by the situation.

With the departure of I'll Have Another, the race is open to speculation as to which thoroughbred will win.

Prior to the Belmont Stakes, I'll Have Another narrowly beat Bodemeister at Churchill Downs and the Preakness.

Bodemeister will not be starting tomorrow either, but its trainer, Hall of Famer Bob Braffert has entered Paynter instead.

With the absence of I'll Have Another and Bodemeister, Paynter will be the horse that has the best shot at winning.

Braffert has historically been a good trainer. Thoroughbreds like Silver Charm in 1997, Real Quiet in 1998 and War Emblem in 2002 were notable for winning two out of the three legs of the Triple Crown.

He knows his stuff, and he will have Paynter ready to go on Saturday.

In the Boston Herald, Braffert noted he always believed Paynter had a better future than Bodemeister.

Speaking to the Washington Post, Braffert was confident in Paynter's chances to win the race and upset about I'll Have Another. With I'll Have Another's premature exit, the door is wide open for Paynter to come in and win the race.

He is a lightly raced colt who has very good speed. Paynter recently won an undercard race (a preliminary race before the main event) at the Preakness Stakes and showed his speed in the mile and one-eight race.

The problem Paynter faces is his unorthodox running style, and he may not have enough stamina for the 12-furlong (mile and a half) race.

He is racing out of Post 9. Guyana Star Dweej and Optimizer are on his outside, and they are known to get off to a fast start. If Paynter gets caught up in the pack and gets too far behind early, he will have too much ground to make up in the later parts of the race. 

Given the fact Paynter is lightly raced in comparison to the other entries, Paynter's best chance is to make a break for the pole and tuck in behind the early leaders.

Having seen Bodemeister fade in the homestretch of the Preakness, Braffert probably has a few tricks up his sleeve to make sure Paynter arrives fully conditioned and ready to race.