I’ll Have Another came from behind once again to capture the Preakness Stakes this weekend, but he won’t be sneaking up on anyone at Belmont. In the third leg of the Triple Crown, the 3-year old colt is a 3-to-1 favorite to win Belmont on June 9 and become the first horse since 1978 to win horse racing’s most elusive prize.

Since Affirmed won it 34 years ago, 11 Triple Crown hopefuls have lost at Belmont, including Big Brown in 2008.

I’ll Have Another was had 10-1 odds to win the Triple Crown prior to his race at Pimilico. Part of the reason was Bodemeister being in the field, and seeming to have the best raw talent of anyone. He had the lead going down the stretch, just as he had at the Kentucky Derby, but lost steam over the last few lengths. I’ll Have Another didn’t lead until the final few lengths.

He won’t have to face Bodemeister at Belmont because trainer Bob Baffert is giving him time off after two disappointing runner-ups.
“I’ve had enough,” he told the Courier-Journal.

“He was actually pretty happy today. He ate up, got on a plane and headed back to California.”

Union Rags has returned to the field and oddsmakers are giving him a decent shot to win. Union Rags was a hairlength underdog to win the Kentucky Derby, only placed behind Bodemeister because of position. He didn’t race at Pimlico, but will return, along with Dullahan and Alpha.

Bovada’s Belmont Stakes Betting Lines haven’t been posted yet, but other sportsbooks have Paynter as the second front runner at around 9-1. Paynter is another horse owned by Baffert’s Zayat Stables who took a convicing win at the Preakness undercard race.