BELMONT, N.Y. (NewsCore) - Thoroughbred racing was dealt a stunning blow Friday as I'll Have Another was retired from racing due to a case of tendonitis in his left foreleg.
The colt's owner, Paul Reddam, along with trainer Doug O'Neill announced that the Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner was not healthy enough to attempt to win the Triple Crown Saturday in the Belmont Stakes.
O'Neill said the injury, which he first noticed Thursday afternoon, is not severe, but would likely prevent I'll Have Another from delivering his usual performance.
"He's not 100 percent and I ain't taking any chances," O'Neill said Friday. "The bottom line is it's not tragic, no one got killed, there are much bigger issues in the world."
Reddam is already guaranteed to make millions when I'll Have Another becomes a stallion.
I'll Have Another was seeking to become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978. He is now the first horse since Bold Venture in 1936 to win the first two legs, but fail to compete in the Belmont.
The shocking turn of events came with more than 100,000 people expected to flock to Belmont Park for a chance to witness history, with millions more set to watch the mile-and-a-half race on NBC.
I'll Have Another had drawn the No. 11 post against a field of 11 rivals and was the 4-5 favorite. The top two contenders are now Dullahan, who finished a fast-closing third in the Kentucky Derby, followed by Union Rags.
The son of Flower Alley ends his career with earnings of $2.6 million, winning all four of his races this year.
Reddam bought I'll Have Another as a two-year-old for the modest sum of $35,000. By comparison, Union Rags and Dullahan were purchased by their current owners for $390,000 and $250,000 respectively.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 12:09 AM EDT2013-05-21 04:09:03 GMT
Gustav Nyquist and Drew Miller scored 31 seconds apart midway through the second period and Pavel Datsyuk restored a two-goal lead in the third to help the Detroit Red Wings beat the Chicago Blackhawks.
Gustav Nyquist and Drew Miller scored 31 seconds apart midway through the second period and Pavel Datsyuk restored a two-goal lead in the third to help the Detroit Red Wings beat the Chicago Blackhawks.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 12:07 AM EDT2013-05-21 04:07:58 GMT
Adam Dunn hit a three-run homer in the first inning and the Chicago White Sox handed Jon Lester his first loss of the season with a 6-4 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Monday night.
Adam Dunn hit a three-run homer in the first inning and the Chicago White Sox handed Jon Lester his first loss of the season with a 6-4 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Monday night.
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:19 PM EDT2013-05-20 02:19:31 GMT
Jake Peavy gave up four runs and four hits over six innings and walked five -- two with the bases loaded -- in a 6-2 loss to the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday.
Jake Peavy gave up four runs and four hits over six innings and walked five -- two with the bases loaded -- in a 6-2 loss to the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday.
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:15 PM EDT2013-05-20 02:15:36 GMT
Daniel Murphy hit a tiebreaking home run in the eighth inning and the New York Mets beat the Chicago Cubs 4-3 on Sunday for their first series win at Wrigley Field since 2007.
Daniel Murphy hit a tiebreaking home run in the eighth inning and the New York Mets beat the Chicago Cubs 4-3 on Sunday for their first series win at Wrigley Field since 2007.
Saturday, May 18 2013 11:08 PM EDT2013-05-19 03:08:37 GMT
Scott Feldman pitched shutout ball into the seventh inning and drove in two runs with a big two-out double, helping the Chicago Cubs beat the New York Mets 8-2 on Saturday.
Scott Feldman pitched shutout ball into the seventh inning and drove in two runs with a big two-out double, helping the Chicago Cubs beat the New York Mets 8-2 on Saturday.
Saturday, May 18 2013 11:05 PM EDT2013-05-19 03:05:01 GMT
Alberto Callaspo hit a three-run homer in Los Angeles' five-run seventh inning, and the Angels beat the White Sox 12-9 on Saturday to end Chicago's four-game winning streak.
Alberto Callaspo hit a three-run homer in Los Angeles' five-run seventh inning, and the Angels beat the White Sox 12-9 on Saturday to end Chicago's four-game winning streak.
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