In 1936, Bold Venture won the Derby and Preakness only to be injured before Belmont and miss the race. That would be the last time that a Derby and Preakness winner skipped the Belmont until today. It was announced that I'll Have Another was injured before a try at the Triple Crown and therefore will be scratched from the race. He has also been retired. My heart goes out to Doug O'Neill and Paul Reddam, despite what you may think of them (although rumors of I'll Have Another possibly leading the post parade aren't good) you have to feel bad that their horse was taken out by an injury. Lava Man, wow he was becoming everyone's favorite pony and kudos to Doug and his owners the STD Stable and Jason Wood for letting him have a second job that he loves. It's great to see everyone fall in love with him again as they did during his great racing career.
Then there's Mario Gutierrez he's the one who I'm sad for the most. To come as far as he did so quickly and really so suddeningly is amazing. Hastings which had a party set up to root on Mario and I'll Have Another. They do plan on having it though now to celebrate Mario and I'll Have Another successes in the Derby and Preakness. He has a bright future and at 25 will have many more chances of riding in the Triple Crown races ahead of him. Canada and Mexico should be very proud!
If there is anything positive to take out of I'll Have Another's scratch and retirment is this, Bold Venture is the only Derby winner to sire 2 winners. 1946 Triple Crown winner Assualt and 1950 Derby and Belmont winner Middleground.
So we will go another year without a Triple Crown winner. I will be watching tomorrow's Belmont and hope that all the horses return safe and sound? As for my pick for the race now? I'm going with Union Rags. I was wavering on him and Dullahan, but everyone on Twitter has convinced me that he finally breaks through here. Dullahan for second and either Five Sixteen, Street Life or Paynter for third.
More importanly, I hope all the horses come back safe and sound!
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