Following wins at both the Kentucky Derby and The Preakness, horse racings newest sweetheart I'll Have Another is only a win away from capturing the first triple crown in horse racing since 1978 when Since Affirmed accomplished the feat. However, the Belmont Stakes will be some what different then the first two legs of the crown.
Bodemeister, the horse who I'll Have Another dramatically pulled ahead of in both of the first two legs will not be entering the Belmont Stakes. So now, fans are left asking themselves who will try to keep I'll Have Another from accomplishing the triple crown dream.
According to BloodHorse.com, fans can expect Union Rags, Dullahan and Mark Valeski to be the primary challengers to I'll Have Another but the horse could potentially have up to 12 challengers at the mile-and-half track at the Stakes.
BelmontStakes.com expects the following to be likely for the event:
Optimizer, Paynter, Alpha, Atigun, Dullahan, Five Sixteen, Guyana Star Dweej, Mark Valeski, Rousing Sermon, Stealcase, Street Life, and Union Rags.
For more on I'll Have Another's quest for the 2012 Triple Crown, stay with this StoryStream.