Horse Racing has not had a Triple Crown winner since Affirmed, in 1978, and the drought will officially last at least another year. I'll Have Another – the winner of both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes – will not race in the 2012 Belmont Stakes, according to his trainer, Doug O'Neill.
O'Neill informed the Dan Patrick Show Friday morning:
Doug O'Neill: "I'll Have Another is officially out of the Belmont."
O'Neill continued, "We ain't taking any chances," and called the late scratch "a bummer, but far from tragic." It appears the horse may have run its last race. A press conference has been scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.
The horse opened Friday morning as a 5/4 favorite to win the race.
For more on the 2012 Belmont Stakes, please be sure to check out our blog And Down The Stretch They Come along with SB Nation New York for all the latest news and updates.