I'll Have Another Scratched From Belmont Stakes Pia Catton - WSJ.com
go to original June 8, 2012

Triple crown contender I'll Have Another was scratched late Friday morning from the Belmont Stakes. (AP)

I'll Have Another has been scratched from Saturday's Belmont Stakes, ending his bid for horse racing's first Triple Crown since 1978.

The horse developed tendinitis in his left front leg, and he will retire from racing.

The signs of a problem began appearing Thursday. "We noticed a loss of definition in his left front leg," said Doug O'Neill, I'll Have Another's trainer. "We prayed he just hit himself and it was just a skin irritation."

After a poultice and a workout this morning, O'Neill said "you could tell the swelling was back." At that point the decision was made to retire the horse. "He's done so much," said O'Neill.

Owner Paul Reddam said he would start talking to stud farms about the future of I'll Have Another, but said "it's not an emergency to talk about where he's going to stand."

The injury isn't hereditary and isn't related to overuse, said Larry Bramlage, the on-call veterinarian representing the American Association of Equine Practitioners. It is more common in horses used for jumping and hunting. Tendinitis can lead to the more serious bowed tendons, which is a more noticeable condition. I'll Have Another's condition was noticed early and detected with an ultrasound.

The horse was scheduled to return to California's Hollywood Park Sunday or Monday and that plan is still in place.

Winner of the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, I'll Have Another had a shot at being the 12th horse in history to win the Triple Crown. The last Triple Crown winner was Affirmed in 1978.

Since then, there had been 11 unsuccessful attempts at completing the Triple Crown. The most recent, Big Brown in 2008, was pulled up in the homestretch.

We invite you to add your charity or supporting organizations' news stories and coming events to PVAngels so we can share them with the world. Do it now!