Sports

Going for the Triple Crown: See the Best Photos of ‘I’ll Have Another‘s’ Second Dramatic Win

Ill Have Another Wins Preakness Before Triple Crown

I'll Have Another, ridden by Mario Gutierrez, races against Bodemeister, ridden by Mike Smith (Photo: AP)

(The Blaze/AP) —The horse called “I’ll Have Another” won the Preakness Stakes on Saturday to give him victories in the first two legs of the Triple Crown, after he won the Kentucky Derby.  If he wins the next race at the Belmont Stakes on June 9, he’ll be the first horse since “Affirmed” to win the coveted title.

With a breathtaking closing rush, the smooth-striding colt won the Preakness Stakes by a neck at Pimlico Race Course on a sunny Saturday, a nail-biter of a finish that topped his win two weeks ago in the Kentucky Derby.

The race unfolded the same way as the Derby, with the speedy Bodemeister moving to the lead under Mike Smith, with I’ll Have Another hanging back in fourth in the 11-horse field. The early fractions were slower than the Derby, but when it came time for Bodemeister to hang on, I‘ll Have Another found another gear under young jockey Mario Gutierrez and ran down trainer Bob Baffert’s horse in the shadow of the wire.

Ill Have Another Wins Preakness Before Triple Crown

I'll Have Another ridden by Mario Gutierrez, and Bodemeister ridden by Mike Smith, are alone at the front (Photo: AP)

“We’re thinking Triple Crown, baby,” an elated trainer Doug O’Neill said. “He’s a special horse. We’ll see how he comes out of it, and if he comes out of it in good shape, we’re heading to New York, baby.”

It’s been 34 years since Affirmed swept the Derby, Preakness and Belmont and became the 11th and most recent Triple Crown champion. Since then, 11 horses have won the first two legs only to come up short in the Belmont. The most recent try came in 2008, when Big Brown was pulled up around the turn for home and did not finish. Before that, Smarty Jones was run down in the final 70 yards by Birdstone in the 2004 Belmont.

With the two victories thrusting the colorful and controversial O’Neill squarely into the limelight, scrutiny is sure to intensify about his violations for giving his horses improper drugs. He was fined $1,000 and suspended 15 days in one incident. He is contesting another.

Ill Have Another Wins Preakness Before Triple Crown

I'll Have Another (9), ridden by Mario Gutierrez, beats Bodemeister, ridden by Mike Smith, to the finish line (Photo: AP)

“We know we play by the rules,” O’Neill said. “It’s all about the horse, and we’re just going to focus on the horse.”

If margins are an indication, perhaps I’ll Have Another has a Triple Crown in his future. Affirmed won the Derby by the identical 1½ lengths over Alydar, and then beat his rival by the same neck margin in the Preakness.

“I didn’t feel confident we were going to get there until 10 yards from the wire,” owner J. Paul Reddam said.

I’ll Have Another, sent off as the second choice at 3-1 over 8-5 favorite Bodemeister, covered the 1 3/16 miles in 1:55.94. The winner returned $8.40, $3.80 and $2.80. Bodemeister returned $3.20 and $2.80, and Creative Cause paid $3.60 to show.

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Creative Cause was third, 8¾ lengths behind hard-luck runner-up Bodemeister, followed by Zetterholm, Teeth of the Dog, Optimizer, Cozzetti, Tiger Walk, Daddy Nose Best, Went the Day Well and Pretension.

Baffert, a five-time Preakness winner, thought his colt — named for his 7-year-old son, Bode — could pull off the win.

“I felt really good about where he was,” Baffert said. “I really thought he was going to do it. The winner is a good horse. He should get the respect now that he deserves.”

The chestnut colt has never been favored in any of his seven races, but won five of them along with $2,693,600 after he was purchased by Reddam for $35,000 on the advice of O‘Neill’s brother, Dennis.

Ill Have Another Wins Preakness Before Triple Crown

Mario Gutierrez, left, on I'll Have Another, reacts after crossing the finish line in front of Bodemeister, right, ridden by Mike E. Smith (Photo: AP)

“He showed he’s the real deal. He’s a real race horse. He gutted it out,” Reddam said. “The other horse was not stopping. He ran a bang-up race, to come and catch him, how can you criticize that? For those who have followed the horse and bet on him, that’s been pretty rewarding. I don’t know if that will be the case next time, though.

Gutierrez, who was riding at Hastings Park in Western Canada until showing up in California last winter, displayed the calm and cunning of a veteran.

“It’s not me, it’s him. It’s all about the horse,” the humble 25-year-old jockey from Mexico said. “He just keeps proving people wrong. I‘m so happy for him because he’s such a great horse. He has a tremendous kick in the end.”

Comments (33)

  • CHULAIGUY
    Posted on May 21, 2012 at 12:08pm

    Don’t forget here folks that the Belmont is the Longest of the three races. It may well be that “I’ll Have Another” will go on to win the Triple Crown, but we’ll have to wait till June to find out. I just hpe the horse isn’t being doped.

    Report Post » CHULAIGUY  
  • G-WHIZ
    Posted on May 20, 2012 at 11:21am

    Eventually, another beautiful beast’s heart will necessarilly [explode] during the last lap, or just past the finnish-line. “just gimmie that money and trophy, and his last sperm, so I can do this all over again, and again, and again……. . :-(

    Report Post »  
    • megarobryder
      Posted on May 20, 2012 at 1:03pm

      At least the horse is doing something greater and better than you are. You whiner.All beings are made for a purpose other than just consuming air & space. Go back an Occupy something Deadbeat.

      Report Post »  
    • 4blackhorses
      Posted on May 20, 2012 at 7:00pm

      Why does your “G-WHIZ” and comment remind me of a bleeding heart liberal and PETA sympathizer? Your deep concerns for the “finish line” were long ago instilled in what you call a “beautifull beast” by their ability of speed in running. The horse was concerned with crossing the finish line in beating out it’s predators.

      Report Post »  
  • aposematic
    Posted on May 20, 2012 at 10:50am

    The Democrats want you to believe they can do no wrong. You see, everything that “unexpectedly” and mysteriously always goes wrong with the Democrats policies are someone elses fault, specifically the Republicans, simply because and due to the Republicans not totally caving in to the Democrats’ rediculus evil demands. The real problem America faces does appear to be that a large number of American voters, and 100% of the LSM, buy into and promote the Democrats’ nonsense, deception, propaganda, and lies.

    Report Post »  
  • dlivelli
    Posted on May 20, 2012 at 9:58am

    Been quite a while since the triple crown was won…..I think the last one was affirmed…..yes/no? I don’t follow horses at all so I have no idea, but I do know it is very rare. Congrats to all on the team!!

    Report Post »  
  • HurricaneFran
    Posted on May 20, 2012 at 9:57am

    It looks like “I’ll Have Another” is likely to have another. I have a good feeling he’s going to win The Tripple Crown.

    Report Post »  
    • tomcat741
      Posted on May 20, 2012 at 6:36pm

      I think that would be great!!! Hats off to the jockey and it goes without saying I’ll. Have another

      Report Post »  
  • flat_top_particular_about_the_point_it_makes
    Posted on May 20, 2012 at 3:05am

    Darn, I lost my reading glasses and I thought that picture of the horse was Mark Zuckerburg’s bride and that Mark was wearing a pretty colorful wedding tuxedo and a large colorful yarmulke for his picture of riding his bride around the wedding grounds.

    Report Post »  
    • Zcat
      Posted on May 20, 2012 at 9:58am

      Shame on you. I find Mark Z wife to be a very attractive young woman. How tacky!

      Report Post »  
  • lukerw
    Posted on May 20, 2012 at 12:04am

    So… He’s No Fluke!

    Report Post » lukerw  
  • Collbuzz
    Posted on May 19, 2012 at 11:24pm

    24/7 security for this colt. Noone but his trainers and handlers get near him. I hope he wins all of it. Would be exciting.

    Report Post »  
    • lukerw
      Posted on May 20, 2012 at 1:39am

      Same for Obama… but I hope he Loses!

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • TheWholeTruth
      Posted on May 20, 2012 at 8:32am

      As exciting as this is for any horseperson, it still can and will never match the excitement of the greatest race horse in history, Secretariat. Now THAT was a HORSE! I remember him running against the odds. As the owner of Sham said, Speed is one thing and the first two races showcase that trait. But, the last and final leg is all about stamina and it rare to find a horse with both.

      There will probably never be another horse like Secretariat being as after his death, the autopsy showed that he was born with a heart 3 times the normal size for a horse. That is what gave him his ability to run full out for long distances. That and his stride has never been matched either. He was a ‘freak’ of nature, that one.

      Good luck to this colt! I hope to see another triple crown winner in my lifetime. I’ve seen two, let’s make it a triple!

      Report Post »  
  • HorseCrazy
    Posted on May 19, 2012 at 11:13pm

    before I die I will ride a horse out of the gate. as a horse woman, 2 sports I haven’t ever had the luxury to try, fox hunting and a practice ride out the gate. Hoping this horse takes the triple crown! Glad bob baffert is recovering nicely from his heart attack in dubai. He is a legend and the racing world is lucky to have him.

    Report Post »  
  • janedough1
    Posted on May 19, 2012 at 11:04pm

    Very young, very humble, very poised jockey, very like Steve Cauthen. Two very fast colts, one chestnut, one bay, outclassing their crop in their zeal to beat one another. Chestnut colt keeps beating the bay by a head. Chestnut colt’s name, I’ll Have Another, is a nice variation of Affirmed. Bay colts play on an affectionate diminutive of a name, Bodemeister, is very like Alydar (Aly, darling).

    Report Post »  
  • KusoJiJi
    Posted on May 19, 2012 at 10:56pm

    Well rested Dullahan and Union Rags await IHA at Belmont. Love to see him win the Triple Crown.

    Report Post » KusoJiJi  
  • TROONORTH
    Posted on May 19, 2012 at 10:20pm

    A Canadian horse! We build them fast up here ( and tasty!!).

    Report Post » TROONORTH  
  • Glenn in Virginia
    Posted on May 19, 2012 at 10:12pm

    Why can’t they have simple, easily grasped names for race horses nowadays, like “Seabiscuit” or, my personal favorite, “Secretariat”?

    Report Post »  
    • mharry860
      Posted on May 19, 2012 at 11:11pm

      Because horse people are all drunks. I met my wife at Playfair Race Course here in Spokane, I was security she worked in a concession stand. I dearly miss the track, these are some of the most beautiful animals on the planet. They are a little looney though, you don‘t walk down a shed row against the doors and you don’t ever get into a corner with one.
      There is also a dark and ugly side to the sport. They are driven to the extent that only the strongest survive. A good race weekend is one that doesn’t involve putting down one of these beautiful creatures.

      Report Post » mharry860  
    • Numa1
      Posted on May 20, 2012 at 11:37am

      I agree. The owners obviously “had another” when they named this horse.

      Report Post » Numa1  
    • HorseCrazy
      Posted on May 20, 2012 at 12:03pm

      MH try emerald downs if you venture over to this side of the state. It is lovely and I have bought so many a horse from there to retrain for dressage or other activities. It is my hobby. You really see these horses bloom when they are done with their racing careers if they are lucky enough to fall into peoples hands like mine or a good TB rescue. Give them a real pasture to play in and a few good trail rides a week the attitudes change they become very devoted to their new jobs. The nice thing about getting the racers is they are already saddle broke and have a work ethic. When they leave the track they are oh so grateful for the ability to just be a horse and that sometimes violent, earpinning attitude leaves.

      Report Post »  
  • Texred
    Posted on May 19, 2012 at 10:06pm

    Sorry mccracken but this horse is a winner.

    Report Post »  
  • CatB
    Posted on May 19, 2012 at 9:54pm

    Exciting race .. .wonderful beautiful horse ..GREAT JOCKEY, ,, go I’ll have Another! Triple Crown only 1 away!

    Report Post »  
  • copatriots
    Posted on May 19, 2012 at 9:45pm

    Awesome race!!!!!

    Report Post »  
  • mccracken
    Posted on May 19, 2012 at 9:41pm

    If Obama had a horse he would be like I’ll Have Another.

    Report Post »  
  • bpodlesnik
    Posted on May 19, 2012 at 9:20pm

    I did not know a horse race could be so exciting. Go “I’ll have Another”!

    Report Post » bpodlesnik  
    • Ghandi was a Republican
      Posted on May 19, 2012 at 10:35pm

      It’s all setting up as they come through turn into the stretch. These jockey’s gotta make a lot of right decisions real quick. They’ll describe their horses in terms of transmissions, engines and handling. They really have to have a sense of where the horses head is at and balance the horse ‘want to’, with the horses ‘should do’. For anyone who has never walked on one of these tracks it’s a lot like walking on a deep sandy treadmill. Little spongy and very strenuous. If you ever get a chance to get close to the gate for a 3/4 mile sprint you will gain a lot of appreciation for how crazy and tough these guys are.

      Report Post » Ghandi was a Republican  

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