05/20/2012 4:54PM

Belmont: I'll Have Another stays calm during traffic-delayed journey

By David Grening
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Tom Keyser
Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner I'll Have Another acts playful in his stall at Pimlico early Sunday morning before getting on a van to New York.

ELMONT, N.Y. - After two trouble-free trips winning the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, I’ll Have Another on Sunday encountered a traffic-filled journey from Pimlico to Belmont Park, where on June  9 he will attempt to win the Belmont Stakes and become Thoroughbred racing’s 12th Triple Crown winner.

 Due mainly to an accident on the New Jersey Turnpike, it took I’ll Have Another nearly 5 1/2 hours to van from Pimlico. The trip usually takes around four hours.

I’ll Have Another, along with three stablemates and stable pony Lava Man, arrived at Belmont at about 2:45 p.m. They took up residence in Barn 9, which houses horses trained by Mark Hennig and is the closest one to Belmont’s main track.

“We kind of got held up for about an hour and a half,” said assistant trainer Jack Sisterson, who accompanied the horses on the van ride to Belmont. “The horses were just looking out the window the whole time. Him and Lava Man were together and they were just chatting away the whole time.”

 Sisterson said it was not yet determined when I’ll Have Another would go back to the track. I’ll Have Another would definitely just walk the shed row on Monday.

 “We’ll see how he is tomorrow,” Sisterson said. “We’ll walk him tomorrow and take it from there.”

 Doug O’Neill, the trainer of I’ll Have Another, flew from Baltimore to his home in Southern California on Sunday and is expected to come to New York over the weekend.

 

soto More than 1 year ago
Has anyone mentioned that Belmont is known as "Big SANDY?" So, it is not just the biggest track in the country; it just doesn't have the widest turns; it is composed with a large per cent of sand. Which horse will relish these conditions?
James Scott More than 1 year ago
Does Nick Zito train any of the Belmont hopefuls this year?
Kalar Walters More than 1 year ago
What a terrific picture!!! :D Nice article. A pleasant read for a rainy Monday morning.
B More than 1 year ago
When will people get it! Dullahan doesn't run his best on dirt.
Slew32A More than 1 year ago
Ok, only an extra hour and a half ride, at least if he had to pee they didn't have to stop off. One bit of advice i'd give is Mark Hennig's barn is ice cold, get him out of there.
James Singer More than 1 year ago
So who (or what) besides Dullahan is a serious competitor?
Mark More than 1 year ago
Mark Valaski
WILL More than 1 year ago
NOT RUNNING
Rob Beaudoin More than 1 year ago
The Belmont is a tricky race, some of the Worst triple crown winners of all time have come out of this race ( Da Tara, Sarava) so we will see. Generally speed does fairly well even in such a long race. Union Rags excuses are getting a little old but he is definitely a contender. Paynter is lightly raced and will be overbet because of Baffert. Some people may say ALPHA has a slight chance but as long as Rajiv rides him he has no shot. Street Life is an intriguing longshot who should get the distance no problem and seems to be getting better.
Grass Is Greener More than 1 year ago
The most dangerous horse is the one that follows the same pattern as Birdstone. They both won the Champagne at 2 at Belmont Park, returned a winner turning 3 at Gulfstream, lost at odds-on in his final Kentucky Derby prep, finished among the second flight in the Derby after getting steadied and shuffled back, then skipped the Preakness to prepare for the Belmont. His name is Union Rags.
Josephine Baltazar More than 1 year ago
I wonder if his friend Lava Man giving IHA some pointers (LOL).
Mark More than 1 year ago
Yes I do think Lava Man is giving him pointers and that's why he is doing so well, he will win on June 9th.
Mark Garcia More than 1 year ago
Maybe IHA could win the Hollywood Gold Cup three times in a row like Lava Man did.... I doubt it, but it would be nice if he stayed in training long enough to do so.
Josephine Baltazar More than 1 year ago
I hope he stays healthy!
Bob Rose More than 1 year ago
He better stay healthy, or Drug will send him to run to his death in a $2,000 claimer at Los Alamitos. If you don't believe it, just ask the darling filly 'Bernedette'. Oh, that's right, we can't ask her cos that's how he ended that filly's life in 2010. I ADORE IHA, but not enough to sweep the memory of Bernedette's murder under the rug. I have mourned for her since the terrifying last moments of her life, thrashing in unbearable pain, blinded by the lights shining right down into her beautiful eyes, each second seeming like an hour, until the vet finally got there and euthanized her. I am rooting for the oh so gallant IHA, and I pray that Karma for Bernedette comes only to the human drug abusing trainer that premeditated her horrific death. Rest in Peace sweet lady ;'(
Robert Whitlock More than 1 year ago
Bob,are you on drugs, Doug is a great trainer.You seem to have a skewed idea of this situation.Your remarks are unwarrented.Did you ever employ Doug as your trainer or are you just repeating media bs?
Grazyna Mianska More than 1 year ago
Only if he had a few milk shakes.
Mr 6 More than 1 year ago
Take it or leave it this horse wins the tripple at even money odds or less. LOCK CITY
Grass Is Greener More than 1 year ago
You will get 2-1
Mr 6 More than 1 year ago
2 to 1....I dont think so. If you get those odds the horse will loose....... The probable field is garbage. But anyhow I had him in the derby and preakness. If I was in vegas I woulda have bet a 100 that this horse would win the tripple crown. I loved his works coming into the derby. All long drills. The long belmont suits this horse the best. He will win by 6-10 lengths and a superb performance.
Grass Is Greener More than 1 year ago
Nobody thought he would pay $8.40 in the Preakness either. You will close to 2-1 because: - there are 3 serious and popular competitors like the Preakness - 12 horse field similar to the Preakness - serious 2nd tier competitors like Alpha and Street Life - people have been conditioned to think long shot in the Belmont.
raymond More than 1 year ago
Just what the Dr. ordered. A tour of the NJ Turnpike and row houses. Next tour will be to Disneyland. IHA visits Disneyland after capturing that elusive Triple Crown after 38 years. We are going to see Thoroughbred History in the making. From my assesment IHA hasn't turned a hair and could'nt blow out a match after his triumph in the Preakness. He is a very professional guy and has the temperment and attitude along with the physical qualities and athleticism as we all have can attest to by watching how easily he has taken the Roses and Vase and now on to Belmont for the Crown.
Fred Reardon More than 1 year ago
Tend to agree, but 2012-1978=34 so that is how many years it has been since a TC winner. And if history is an indicator the sport is it's own worst enemy as the other 10 or 11 horses will gang up on the FAV as if he has a "bull's eye" on his back and make it virtually impossible for him to run his best race. It might not make a difference in this one, however. I'll Have Another is THAT good.
pstuon More than 1 year ago
Agreed, plus this year's Belmont field doesn't seem to be strong, although people will say the field is strong with Dullahan and Union Rags in it. But I tend to think that those two are a little bit overrated, especially Union Rags. As far as Dullahan, he's belongs in the second tier of 3yos. Nontherless, Dullahan is a true 1 1.2 horse, whether he's good enough to beat IHA is the real question. But I doubt that he can beat IHA in the Belmont. lol!!!
Willian J. Brune More than 1 year ago
You're probably right, but Leparous hasn't exactly shown himself as a qualified jock.
Rob Beaudoin More than 1 year ago
Dullahan may not be best on Dirt but 2nd tier is a little much isn't it? He's a BIG beautiful horse who can run all day. He will be a contender in the BC in the fall for sure. The only question is which race he'll be in.
Grass Is Greener More than 1 year ago
Dubai World Cup. Synthetic specialist.
MaryAnn Donahue More than 1 year ago
There have been eight or fewer horses contesting the Belmont Stakes whenever a horse has won the Triple Crown. Hope there are eight or fewer for I'll Have Another as well so that he can run his race without shenanigans.
Willian J. Brune More than 1 year ago
The Preakness win certainly backs you up on that.
Babette Cade More than 1 year ago
The very young jockey has handled this experience with aplomb. That is key in the Belmont. Hope he stands up to the pressure of the track itself. A lot of jocks have bombed here. Mario seems intent on riding the race to win within the horse's capacity. Not running every other horse into the ground.
earl More than 1 year ago
is this DRF or TMZ? Not too sure what to think of this article but love the coverage nonetheless If Bodemeisters plane gets delayed at the airport, Will that be news too?
Fred Reardon More than 1 year ago
To the victor goes the spoils, and the coverage. The Bode is in CALI and probably resting until late July. Surfs Up for one, a Triple Crown battle awaits the other. The more coverage the better it sez here. I'll Have Another is the star of the sport, right now.
himmelle More than 1 year ago
I thought it was a nice article. At least it wasn't a pumped up story about Union Rags or Bodemeister. We should be so lucky to have more stories like this to read.
rvraynmary More than 1 year ago
Please write more stories on Union Rags and his plan to foil IHA's triple crown bid. That will make the odds higher on the winner, IHA.
raymond More than 1 year ago
Earl, don't think. You'll weaken the nation, lol. Only josh'n ya.
Andrew More than 1 year ago
Just in!!!! Beyer assigns BodeM a 119 for walking up the 12' ramp onto the plane. Eat his dust Ghostzapper!!!
Bob Rose More than 1 year ago
Are you Andrew Buyer? LMAO!!!