With two down and just one to go, I'll Have Another is on the verge of becoming the first horse to win the Triple Crown since 1978 at next weekend's Belmont Stakes. But according to the Associated Press, I'll Have Another's trainer Doug O'Neill is set to be suspended by the California racing board after elevated levels of carbon dioxide were found in another horse he also trains.
O'Neill's horse Argenta was immediately red flagged after the Preakness after it appeared that he had been given an illegal performance-enhancer before the race after posting unusual test results. But even after being cleared of any wrongdoing for tampering with the horse himself, O'Neill will still be suspended for 45 days and fined $15,000 for allowing this scenario to happen under his watch. Thankfully for O'Neill, the suspension will not kick in until after the Belmont is wrapped up.
With rival Bodemeister not in the Belmont field, I'll Have Another enters the third leg as a rather significant favorite with a chance to make history. The news of O'Neill's situation certainly isn't enough to take the luster off I'll Have Another's achievements by any stretch, but it remains bothersome that such a dominant horse would have a trainer with something like this following him around. Stay with SB Nation Detroit for more Belmont Stakes updates as the race draws near.
For more on I'll Have Another's attempt at the Triple Crown, stay locked with this StoryStream. And for more horse racing coverage, be sure to check out And Down The Stretch They Come.