I'll Have Another will have one less horse beat at the 2012 Belmont Stakes, as Creative Cause will skip the race. Creative Cause finished fifth at the Kentucky Derby and third at the Preakness.
Mike Harrington – Creative Cause's trainer – said there are no medical problems with his horse, but cited 'rest' as the reason for skipping the Belmont:
"He's fine, we just elected to give him a little rest," Harrington said. "He's had a tough campaign and he deserves a break ..."
Creative Cause's absence may be a significant help to I'll Have Another's chaces of winning the Belmont, as the horse defeated I'll Have Another at last year's Best Pal Stakes, and narrowly lost at the Santa Anita Derby.
I'll Have Another will look to be the first Triple Crown winner since 1978.
For more on the Belmont Stakes, please be sure to visit our blog And Down The Stretch They Come along with SB Nation New York.