I'll Have Another survived a scare during training Thursday at Belmont Park when another horse tossed its rider and bee-lined in the direction of the Triple Crown hopeful.
Trainer Doug O'Neill said he still hasn't fully recovered from the shock of seeing the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner come so close to a collision, noting that his stomach is "still a little twisted" in the aftermath of the incident.
A win at the June 9 Belmont Stakes will make I'll Have Another the first horse since Affirmed in 1978 to win the Triple Crown.
The Belmont field got slightly less crowded earlier Thursday when Alpha pulled out with a fever. Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin called the situation "unfortunate" but Alpha's 103-degree temperature made the decision relatively easy.
In the meantime, stay with our Belmont Stakes Storystream for all your Belmont Stakes news, odds and analysis. You can also visit anddownthestretchtheycome for more on the race.