Triple Crown Contender Retired Before Belmont

For more than 33 years there has been no winner of the Triple Crown. With I'll Have Another being scratchedHorse racing has long been known as "the sport of kings." from the Belmont Stakes just hours before the race, it is now 34 years. The horse was retired from racing in a ceremony at the Belmont, standing in the winner's circle one last time to have his saddle removed according to USA Today. His career was ended by a tendon injury. Less than an hour later, another horse, Union Rags, won the Belmont Stakes that fans of I'll Have Another had been hoping he would win.

Horse racing has long been known as the sport of kings and the term Triple Crown originated in England before it began being used in the U.S. Many nations now have their own versions of the Triple Crown. The three races that make up the U.S. Triple Crown are the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes. The three races are run over a short five-week period. (Source: Wikipedia)

 The three-year-old chestnut was a long-shot at 15 to 1 going into the first leg of the Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby. Just over two minutes later the horse had made history. He was the first horse to win from post position nineteen. In the Preakness his odds were 3 to 1 and he took it easily.

After the announcement that I'll Have Another would not be running in the Belmont Stakes, a track veterinarian said that the injury was slow in healing. The horse is only the third one in history to be scratched from the Belmont after having won the first two legs of the Triple Crown. (Source: Wikipedia)

Fortunately, I'll Have Another is likely to fare better than Barbaro, the 2006 Kentucky Derby Winner. During his run for the Preakness, he broke his leg, which led to his death. (Source: Wikipedia)

I'll Have Another is more likely to find a long life in a comfy pasture, and the possibility of earning some nice stud fees.