June 4, 2012; Elmont, NY, USA; I'll Have Have Another ridden by exercise rider Jonny Garcia on the track during a morning workout prior to the 144th running of Belmont Stakes at Belmont Park. Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-US PRESSWIRE
LOWELL, Mich. (WZZM) -- It's a shocker in world of horse racing on the eve of the Belmont Stakes -- the winner of the first two legs of racing's triple crown will miss third leg and head into retirement.
I'll Have Another won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes last month. On Friday, trainers found the horse had swelling of a tendon in his left front leg. They decided to pull the horse from Saturday's race and end its racing career.
Dr. Todd Shaarda, an equine veterinarian from Lowell, says tendonitis is a fairly common horse injury. But if an injured horse fell during a race, it could lead to its death.
"In this case, he's got a tendon that's strained, and they don't want to put him in the race and risk a catastrophic breakdown," says Dr. Shaarda. "They're looking out for the best interest of the horse.
"I'm sure with having two wins is probably going to be stud material so he'll be staying at a breeding farm and he'll probably have a life of leisure now."
WZZM