• Horse Racing

I'll Have Another out of Belmont Stakes, may retire

ESPN staff
June 8, 2012
I'll Have Another is unlikely to race again © Getty Images
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Saturday's Belmont Stakes have suffered a major blow after I'll Have Another was ruled out by trainer Doug O'Neill.

The three-year-old was ready to bid for an American Triple Crown this weekend but has been sidelined in New York. Trouble with the left front leg proved to be the problem, and O'Neill explained the situation on danpatrick.com.

"I'll Have Another is officially out of the Belmont. He galloped great yesterday then in the afternoon had a little bit of filling in his left front leg," O'Neill said.

"This morning he was perfect. I took him out and did a little something with him but after training that swelling came back and the vet came over and scanned the left front leg and he has the start of some tendonitis going on.

"He's not a 100 per cent, we're not taking any chances. Pulling him isn't tragic but it's a huge disappointment. I'm just so bummed for the horse, obviously, and then for the whole team."

O'Neill now believes the horse's racing days are over, saying: "If I had to wager, I would say yes. I'd love to see him back in my barn in a few months but realistically he'll probably be seeing a lot of beautiful mares and smoking a lot of cigarettes."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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