I'll Have Another is receiving some heavyweight help recently in preparing for his bid for horse racing's Triple Crown in the Belmont Stakes June 9 at Belmont Park. Billy Hunter, trainer for 1977 Triple Crown champion Seattle Slew, and Hall of Fame jockey Richard Migliore are sharing wisdom with I'll Have Another's team.
Belmont Stakes 2012: O'Neill consults with Billy Turner, Seattle Slew's trainer | Daily Racing Form
Doug O’Neill wasn’t so much interested in talking to the connections of the recent horses who attempted – and failed – to win the Triple Crown. Instead, O’Neill wanted to talk someone who actually accomplished the feat.
So on Tuesday morning, about two hours after watching I’ll Have Another gallop a strong mile at Belmont Park, O’Neill had a little sit-down with Billy Turner, the trainer of 1977 Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew.
Sitting at a table outside Barn 9 for approximately 40 minutes, O’Neill picked Turner’s brain about his experiences some 35 years ago.
“He’s done what I’m hoping and dreaming of doing,” O’Neill said later in the day. “The one thing he said, which we’re already doing, was getting him here early and training over the track. He said, ‘That’s the biggest suggestion I would have given you had you asked me.’ He was such a class act, just very complimentary to the whole staff.”
'The Mig' to Tour Belmont Oval With Gutierrez | BloodHorse.com
As jockey Mario Gutierrez prepares for a coveted Triple Crown in the June 9 Belmont Stakes, he will have the advice of retired rider Richard Migliore, who recorded 1,352 wins at Belmont Park during his career.