Triple Crown 2012: I'll Have Another To Chase Triple Crown Without Bodemeister

The 2012 Kentucky Derby and Preakness delivered epic, if not identical, finishes with I'll Have Another charging through the field to chase down a strong run by Bodemeister.

After winning the first two legs of the Triple Crown, I'll Have Another will run for history in the Belmont Stakes, but he will have to make that monster run without Bodemeister setting the pace. It is hard to believe a horse could run much better in either race and not come away with a win, but that's what happened to Bodemeister. After those two tough losses, trainer Bob Baffert said he will not enter Bodemeister in the final leg of the Triple Crown at Belmont Park.

Bob Baffert, winner of five Preakness Stakes and trainer of Bodemeister, said I'll Have Another's win is good for the sport and good for the Belmont.

"The winner's a good horse," Baffert said. "He'll get the respect now that he deserves. I'm proud that as a trainer my horse showed up and he ran his race. He just got beat."

Baffert said he will not send Bodemeister to the Belmont Stakes. "I wasn't going to go, win lose or draw," he said. "I've run him pretty hard."

Strong Derby horses Union Rags and Dullahan skipped the Preakness but will present a challenge for I'll Have Another in the Belmont field. Still, it will be interesting to see if I'll Have Another can still finish strong without Bodemeister out in front to chase down.

For more in-depth coverage on the 2012 Preakness, be sure to check out And Down The Stretch They Come and join the discussion.