Belmont favorite’s scratch saddens horse racing world
An Oaklawn Park official put the most optimistic spin possible on Triple Crown hopeful I’ll Have Another’s scratch from today’s Belmont Stakes.
“There’s still going to be a winner,” Jason Milligan said Friday. Asked to be more specific, Oaklawn’s operations director said, “That’s a good question.”
Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner I’ll Have Another was scratched from the Belmont and retired on Friday because of swelling in his left front tendon. Not only is the injury not considered life threatening, I’ll Have Another is scheduled to lead the post parade for what is now an 11- horse race, scheduled at 5: 25 p. m. and airing on NBC [ Resort Channel 4].
I’ll Have Another was the 4- 5 program favorite for the 144th Belmont, hoping to become horse racing’s 12th Triple Crown winner and first in 34 years.
“It’s a big disappointment to us and everyone in the racing industry because of the opportunity to have a Triple Crown winner,” said David Longinotti, Oaklawn’s assistant general manager for racing. “But it’s still a premier racing event. And from a pure betting standpoint, [ the Belmont] wasn’t even the best race on the card. I certainly wasn’t going to have anything to do ( betting- wise) with a horse that’s 4- 5.”
The Belmont completes an all- stakes pick- six on the New York track’s 13- race card, starting at 10: 35 a. m. CDT. Besides Atigun and Optimizer in the Belmont, the stakes buffet includes Oaklawn winners Hamazing Destiny and Skyring, last- out winners for Hall of Fame trainer Wayne Lukas, and 2011 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap winner Smiling Tiger, trained by Jeff Bonde. [ Terry Wallace’s selections for the Belmont card appear on Page 2B of today’s edition.]
“It’s sad also because a lot of people who might have come out [ to Oaklawn] tomorrow might stay home now and watch the race on TV,” Longinotti said. “A lot of people wanted to be a part of history, and now that opportunity has passed.”
With I’ll Have Another out, Kentucky Derby show horse Dullahan was made the 9- 5 favorite for the Belmont on the adjusted morning line. A multiple Grade 1 winner on Keeneland’s synthetic surface, the laterunning Dullahan skipped the Preakness over the objections of trainer Dale Romans. Javier Castellano has the mount from post five.
“We’re going to inherit the role as favorite, but I’d rather have him in there,” Romans said. “It’s not even good for me, because I am racing. It would have been better for me to go out there and beat him. I don’t want to win it with an asterisk by his name; I wanted to compete with him.”
Ken McPeek, trainer of Belmont contenders Atigun [ owned by Hot Springs lumberman John Ed Anthony] and Unstoppable U, felt deflated when he heard the news about I’ll Have Another.
“To do what they’ve done and what they’ve been through — it’s like completely letting the air out of a balloon,” said McPeek, whose Sarava derailed War Emblem’s bid for the Triple Crown in the 2002 Belmont.
Lukas, a four- time Belmont winner, said he could feel the pain of I’ll Have Another trainer Doug O’Neill.
“I feel bad for Doug to get that close,” Lukas said. “I had Timber Country, the favorite for the [ 1995] Belmont and scratched night before. The assistant said [ Preakness winner] Timber Country had a 105 temperature. [ The Lukas- trained Kentucky Derby winner Thunder Gulch won the race.]
“I want to talk to [ O’Neill],” Lukas said. “That’s the part of the game the public doesn’t understand. It’s not like you can do this thing and just run him another time. You only get one chance to do this. From the standpoint of a purist it’s a blow. It will be a very good race, anyhow.”
Lukas drew an analogy with 1992 Belmont winner A. P. Indy, who was scratched from the Kentucky Derby on the morning of the race because of a foot problem. “It’s not unprecedented,” he said.
“For Doug to get the horse this far, he’s had to practically live with him. It practically brings you to your knees. It’s humbling.”
Kelly Breen, trainer of My Adonis and 2011 Belmont winner Ruler On Ice, said “I’m sure that the fans will be disappointed, but the Belmont’s the Belmont. It’s still a Triple Crown race. ... All I can do is try to get my horse ready, and that’s it.”