Triple-Crown Hopeful I'll Have Another Is OUT Of The Belmont

[charlie and algernon]

Source: Business Insider

I'll Have Another will not race in the Belmont Stakes.

Doug O'Neill, the horse's trainer, told the Dan Patrick show that the horse had a left leg problem, adding, "We ain't taking any chances.

The horse would have been going for the first Triple Crown since 1977 tomorrow at the Belmont Stakes.

Given how much the sport is struggling right now, it's a massively huge blow for everyone involved.






Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/ill-have-another-belmont-2012-6

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Woah. That sucks.


EDIT: The website just slightly modified the last line about how it's a huge blow for the sport.

[hlthe2b]

1. Oh, that's too bad. But, I'm glad they are doing the right thing (for horse and rider)

[yardwork]

2. I think it's a good thing for the sport. A trainer is protecting the horse. Good for him.

[charlie and algernon]

6. It's great for the horse, it REALLY sucks for the organizers of the Belmont

They just saw their potential ratings and of course, their profits, plummet.

[OKNancy]

3. Oh poo

I was really looking forward to this... dang it.

[qanda]

4. I was looking forward to watching but,

I'm glad they are thinking about the horse's safety.

[sinkingfeeling]

5. Racing horses, whose legs are delicate, sucks.

[Coyote_Bandit]

7. Good

Nice to see someone looking out for the welfare of the horse - instead of trying to line their pockets.

[catbyte]

8. Good. I have a problem with horse racing

There's too much thinking about money and not enough about the welfare of the horses. They seem to be breeding them so finely tuned that their legs are snapping. Look what happened with that HBO series "Luck." Three horses died. It's horrific.

Diane
Anishinaabe in MI & mom to Leo, Taz & Nigel, members of Dogs Against Romney, Cat Division
"Dogs Aren’t Luggage--HISS!”

[Tommy_Carcetti]

9. Time for a name change? nt

[KurtNYC]

10. There may never be another triple crown winner

Lasix (furosemide) and other drugs ruined American race horses.

I like Union Rags with John Velasquez riding -- good on wet and has tactical speed.

[hamsterjill]

12. I like Dullahan

With Desormeaux on board!

Good luck to your pick for tomorrow's race. May they all end the race as healthy as they begin!

[hamsterjill]

11. I think this is suspicious

Make NO mistake about it - from this animal-loving Democrat, I am certainly glad that they've pulled the horse if there is ANY possibility of an injury. I was planning to watch tomorrow, and I would love to see a triple crown again.

But there is a cloud of suspicion over this trainer, and my understanding is that the Belmont contenders were recently sequestered so that there could be no foulplay or "milkshaking" of the horses.

My hope is that there will be a full investigation into the treatment of these horses because of all of this, and that conditions will improve. These horses have immense talent without any human intervention. When it comes to foul play to make them run even faster and harder than their great talent already allows, that's not fair to the other contenders and it is certainly not humane treatment of the horse!

[Rhiannon12866]

13. Just heard this on the news and I'm bummed out.

I grew up in Saratoga Springs, used to ride, myself, and my Dad used to take us to the track to see the horses every summer. Although I'm obviously concerned about the horses, too, these are the elite, treated better than most people. And they are simply beautiful.

I was willing to bet (pun intended) on a Triple Crown winner this year, since I've watched I'll Have Another run, and the Belmont, the longest race of the three, was just made for him. He likes to pull it out at the finish, so this race would have given him more time. I'm certainly glad that they're taking care of this beautiful horse, but he's so talented, I think he deserved Triple Crown honors. We may never see another...

[Arugula Latte]

14. Horse racing is cruel.

I wish it and greyhound racing and rodeos and circuses that use animals would all die out.

[RebelOne]

17. I agree. And I have known greyhound owners and those dogs are treated cruelly.

They are kept in small cages during the day and only let at night for a short period.

[Redford]

15. Good call

Ill Have Another will get to retire and have great sex for the rest of his days. If he seriously injured himself on the track, he might not be able to "perform" and his owners would be out serious dough for his breeding fees.

[twogunsid]

16. I'll Have Another to lead Belmont Stakes post parade

Check the DU Sports (Group) : http://www.democraticunderground.com/120414119