http://www.horseracingnation.com/news/Ill_Have_Another_Scratched_from_Belmont_Stakes_123Trainer Doug O'Neill announced on Dan Patrick's radio show that I'll Have Another will be scratched from the Belmont Stakes.
When asked by Dan Patrick if we would see I'll Have Another race again, O'Neill responded that if he had to gamble we have already seen I'll Have Another's last race.
There will be a press conference at 1pm ET.
TVG reporters are speculating that it is a tendon issue that has caused the scratch. Apparently, veterinarians were at the barn with ultrasound machines, which would be consistent with a tendon injury.
Note: The above photo was taken Friday morning at Belmont Park.
UPDATE: From the I’ll Have Another Press Conference:
Statement from trainer Doug O’Neill:
“It has been an incredible ride and an incredible run. I’ve taken so many notes, a lot of mental notes, I know we’re going to be back here again.
I know some people have asked if I thought the detention barn had anything to do with this. And absolutely not. It was just a freakish thing. He has been shown a little bit of, you know he’s been a little quiet the last few days of galloping, but his legs have been great.
Yesterday, he galloped great, but in the afternoon we noticed some loss of definition in his left front leg. To which, like every other owner and trainer we prayed he just kind of hit himself and it was just a little bit of skin irritation. We did him up in a special poultice. This morning he looked great, so I thanked the racing gods there.
And we did just a little easy gallop with him today. I thought he looked great on the track. Cooling out, you could tell the swelling was back. At that point I didn’t feel very good. At that point I talked to Mr. Reddam and immediately we got Dr. Hunt over here.
He scanned him and said it was just the start of tendinitis in his left front tendon. And you know you could give him 3 to 6 months and start back with him. But he’s done so much, it was unanimous between the Reddams, my brother and I and everyone at the barn to retire him.
It is a bummer, far from tragic, but it is very disappointing.”