Squire’s predictions for Belmont Stakes

The Triple Crown is one of sports most elusive prizes; it hasn’t been won since 1978.

Finding another to win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness, and Belmont Stakes has been like looking for the “Ring” that was lost in the River Anduin.

Since that last glorious moment fashioned by Affirmed 34 years ago, 12 horses have seen their dreams of immortality dashed at the Belmont Stakes.

In all, 21 horses have won the first two legs and failed in the third.

Now it’s I’ll Have Another who is on the big stage. Can he win? Certainly.

He was most impressive in winning the Preakness, where he had to make a late charge in the stretch to run down the favourite Bodemeister, who had controlled the race until the very end.

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But what makes the Belmont so difficult is its length. 1 ½ miles, a distance horses rarely are asked to run in North America.

What often stops a Triple Crown win is the fact the winner of the first two legs has more wear and tear than his opponents.

Such will be the case this Saturday.

Dullahan and Union Rags are two horses that ran in Kentucky but skipped the Preakness to prepare for the role of spoiler.

They both have the talent to pull a mild upset.

What is encouraging about I’ll Have Another is his versatility. He is not one-dimensional in how he runs.

The Belmont is a race where one likes to stay close to the front and not allow another horse to run away from the field.

I’ll Have Another is comfortable running close to the lead.

Also a cool headed jockey is required. Many a horse have lost the Belmont because a jockey moved them too soon and had nothing left for Belmont Park’s agonizingly long stretch.

But Mario Gutierrez has proven he has the coolness and the aptitude to not let the “moment” overtake his better judgement.

I like I’ll Have Another in this race, but I have seen a lot of crazy things happen on the road to horse racing history.

Here’s to hoping this year’s Belmont will be a crowning achievement.