Canadian Horse Could Win Historic Triple Crown

Canadian Horse Could Win Historic Triple Crown - Wins Preakness: Canadian-Owned Horse Keeps Triple Crown; Canadian Horse Could Win Historic Triple Crown, No one is loving the run up to Saturday’s Preakness more than Doug O’Neill. The trainer of Kentucky Derby winner I’ll Have Another has spent nearly two weeks in Baltimore, hanging with Ravens coach John Harbaugh, throwing out the first ball at an Orioles game, and hammering away at Maryland crabs for the first time.


He also huddled with Secretariat’s jockey Ron Turcotte about racing strategy, held daily news briefings at the stakes barn and was forthcoming when asked about his history of violations for giving his horses improper drugs.


Through it all, O’Neill and his crew are enjoying the moment in their own California free-wheeling style.

“It’s been a blast. Incredible. We’ve taken advantage of it, and done some cool things,” O’Neill said Friday morning, wearing a Preakness cap signed by area school children. “They just really rolled out the red carpet for us. Obviously, it’s a lot of fun when your horse is doing as good as he is.”

I’ll Have Another has been doing just fine since catching the speedy Bodemeister in the final 100 yards to win the Derby by 1 ½ lengths two weeks ago.

“He looks fantastic. Great energy,” O’Neill said. “He’s maintained his beautiful, long stride. We’re just very happy with each day that goes by.”

Life can become a whole lot happier for O’Neill if I’ll Have Another wins the Preakness. A victory over 8-5 morning-line favorite Bodemeister and nine other rivals would set up a Triple Crown attempt three weeks later in the Belmont Stakes.

I’ll Have Another is owned by Windsor, Ont., businessman Jr. Paul Reddam. In addition, Mexican jockey Mario Gutierrez raced at Hastings Park in Vancouver for six years.

It’s been 34 years since Affirmed swept the Derby, Preakness and Belmont and became the 11th Triple Crown champion. Since then, 11 horses have won the first two legs only to come up short in the Belmont. The most recent try came in 2008, when Big Brown was pulled up around the turn for home and finished last.