Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner I’ll Have Another could face as many as 13 rivals in his Triple Crown attempt in the Belmont Stakes on June 9th. Millions will be watching as the Doug O’Neill trained runner seeks to become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed swept the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes over Alydar in 1978.
Probable starters include:
Alpha
Atigun
Dullahan
Five Sixteen
Guyana Star Dweej
I’ll Have Another
Optimizer
Paynter
Ravelo’s Boy
Rousing Sermon
Steelcase
Street Life
Union Rags
Unstoppable U
Wynn Las Vegas has released the odds on I’ll Have Another’s Triple Crown attempt. “Yes” he will capture the crown is +165, and the “No” against him accomplishing this rare feat is -185.
The biggest threats to I’ll Have Another on the second Saturday in June figure to be Paynter, Union Rags, Dullahan and Alpha. The later two runners are closers who will be at the mercy of the pace. Paynter and Union Rags both have good tactical and early speed and will be forwardly placed, along with I’ll Have Another. Paynter is trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, who saddled Bodemeister to very strong runner-up performances in both the Derby and Preakness.
