Triple Crown Contender Scratched From Belmont Stakes

COLLINSVILLE, IL (KTVI)– The possibility of the first Triple Crown winner in more than three decades had racing fans in the St. Louis region and around the country eagerly anticipating the Belmont Stakes race in New York State Saturday.

But that dream was shattered Friday when the owners of Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner “Let’s Have Another” pulled the thoroughbred from the Belmont race because of a sore front left tendon.  “It’s a huge disappointment,” said the horse’s trainer Doug O’Neill.

Inter racetrack wagering allows racing fans to bet on races and watch them via satellite.  Fairmount Park race track , the only track of its kind in the St. Louis region, schedules its local live races on Saturday night so as to not compete with the Belmont.

Fairmount Park president and general manager Brian Zander said it was devastating to hear the news “because of the way he ran and the tactical speed he had, we thought we had a chance for a Triple Crown winner.”

But Zander does not expect the loss of “Let’s Have Another” to hurt business too much.  “We do have simulcast during the day and we expect there will be a few less people because there’s not the chance for a Triple Crown, but we’re racing live tomorrow night at seven thirty; we expect a great crowd.”

The loss of the potential star may be an opportunity for people who bet on horses in the race that were considered long shots.  “There might be a chance for a big payoff,” said Zander.

Despite the disappointment over the horse’s injury, Zander praised the owners of “Let’s Have Another” for considering the health of the horse.

“They could have said we’ll just take a chance ..there is so much possible fame and fortune that’s involved if they could have won the Triple Crown especially after 34 years of  not having one, but at the end of the day they took into consideration of the horse and they decided not to run him.”