Trainer Doug O'Neill confirmed this morning on the Dan Patrick Show that I'll Have Another, winner of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes and Triple Crown hopeful, has been scratched from the 1-1/2-mile Belmont Stakes.
The colt is suffering the beginnings of a tendon injury and will not only sit out of the highly anticipated race in New York tomorrow, but may retire from thoroughbred racing altogether.
"If I had to wager [if he has run his last race]... I would say 'yes'," O'Neill told Patrick on-air this morning.
According to TVG, the horse raised speculations when he arrived at the Belmont track at 5:45 a.m. this morning, altering his normal routine of arriving at 8:30 a.m.
The New York Racing Association has announced an unscheduled press conference to be held today at 1 p.m. EST at the stakes barn in Belmont Park, when O'Neill and owner J. Paul Reddam will confirm the decision regarding the California thoroughbred.
Many had hoped I'll Have Another would be the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed seized the title in 1978, and the twelfth ever in history.
