I’ll Have Another has another win

Abby Gibbon was at the Preakness yesterday, doing keg stands in the in-field and taking in all the action. Some thoughts from the morning after:

Photo: The view from the grandstands as I’ll Have Another and Mario Gutierrez make their way toward the winner’s circle.

From Abby’s EN Sunday News & Notes:

Hooked: It’s what I heard someone say leaving Pimlico yesterday, where a record crowd of 121,309 assembled to watch Bodemeister and I’ll Have Another surge toward the wire. Hooked—and I had to smile, because I would’ve been, too, if I wasn’t already, completely. Even better than the Derby, I thought—and even now, hours later, I can’t get over it. Only three weeks before the Belmont, and in the meantime, I won’t doubt I’ll Have Another’s history-making potential.

But since Affirmed won the Triple Crown in 1978, 11 horses have won both the Kentucky Derby and Preakness before coming up short in the Belmont. “The horse deserves the credit,” jockey Mario Gutierrez humbly told the Thoroughbred Times.  “He has proven himself in the run. I just want to prepare. I want to be on the same level as him. He’s an amazing horse, and I’m happy to be riding him.” [TT]

What are his chances for another? Bodemeister’s trainer Bob Baffert has said his colt won’t run in the Belmont. But Dullahan, who was third in the Derby before skipping the Preakness, is expected to make an appearance. [ESPN]

Following the success of his on-site Preakness preps, trainer Doug O’Neill will ship I’ll Have Another to Belmont Park today. [Washington Times]