I'll Have Another Scratched: Horses That Will Take Advantage of Colt's Absence

The horse racing world was rocked this morning when Doug O’Neill announced on the Dan Patrick Show that his horse, I’ll Have Another, will not race in the Belmont Stakes.

Here is the announcement via the Dan Patrick Show’s Twitter.

"

Doug O'Neill: "I'll Have Another is officially out of the Belmont."

— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) June 8, 2012"

Heading into the race, I’ll Have Another was a 4-5 favorite. Now, a new group of thoroughbreds will be moved into the spotlight.

Here are the three horses with the best chance to win the Belmont now that I’ll Have Another is out. 

Dullahan: 5-1 odds

After a third place finish at the Kentucky Derby and five weeks of rest, this horse must be considered the new favorite.

Dullahan, like I’ll Have Another, was somewhat of an afterthought heading into the Derby, but surprised with an excellent showing.

After an impressive performance at Churchill Downs, Dullahan’s team started to focus solely on winning at Belmont Park. Trainer Dale Romans explained via Chris Korman of the Washington Post. 

The other thing it does by skipping the Preakness, it lets you do some things in training that you can’t do when you’re going to run in the Preakness to try to go a mile and a half. Longer gallops, longer breezes, just little things like that that might help us get to the mile and a half.

Now that I’ll Have Another is gone, Dullahan has proven it has ability to compete against a talented and show well, while other horses in the field have not. This thoroughbred is the best bet to win 2012 Belmont Stakes. 

Union Rages: 6-1 

Union Rags was one of the most-hyped horses heading into the Triple Crown season, but a disappointing seventh-place finish at the Derby was a terrible start for the thoroughbred and its team.

Now, Union Rags needs to live up to its potential as I’ll Have Another’s absence will provide a new opportunity. Jockey John Velazquez said about the horse he will ride, "The talent is there, definitely. Hopefully his luck changes in this race and he can show the talent he has," via Alice Wincze Hughes of the Boston Herald. 

With a good draw at the No. 3 post, Union Rags should get a chance to create some space and really run. If that happens, it could gain an early lead, and a certain late-charging horse will not be around to spoil its glory.

There is no question that Union Rags has the talent to win the Belmont. If the horse’s team can coax a good performance out of the colt, it will be at the front of the field in the final stretch.

Paynter: 8-1 odds 

This horse could not have been given a better shot to win. Bob Baffert trains it and veteran Mike Smith will jockey it at the Belmont.

Baffert will be disappointed that he does not get a chance at revenge for I’ll Have Another’s two come-from-behind victories over Bodemeister, another horse that he trained. But the legendary trainer will also know that the two-leg winner’s absence gives Paynter a better shot at victory.

Baffert feels that Paynter’s versatility makes it better suited to the long track at Belmont Park, according to another article from Wincze Hughes, via the Boston Herald. 

Paynter had the ability to pull off a late charge, just as I’ll Have Another did, and Baffert has a great chance to walk away from the race with another Triple Crown win to add to his résumé.