Belmont Stakes 2012: I'll Have Another vs. Secretariat

I’ll Have Another’s historic run at the Triple Crown sends several questions if he is as good as Secretariat was in the 1970’s. Although these horses took different paths to get towards the Triple Crown, they do offer a few similarities.

Secretariat started his Triple Crown campaign in 1973 in New York. I’ll Have Another started his career in California. Secretariat broke his maiden 2nd time out, I’ll Have Another broke his the first time out. Secretariat was favored in every race except one, I’ll Have Another has yet to be the wagering favorite. Pedigree wise, digging back several generations, there are no similar bloodlines.

Without similar bloodlines, racing statistics, or even similar paths to the Triple Crown, what makes their journey so similar? Secretariat had to battle with a horse named Sham in his three Triple Crown races. Some may say I’ll Have Another’s rivalry with Bodemeister may be similar to the one in 1973. While the running style of Bodemeister and I’ll Have Another is different than Secretariat and Sham, the rivalry still rings clear.

Bodemeister will not be racing in the Belmont Stakes, but I’m sure I’ll Have Another and he will meet up down the road sometime. With all the differences found with Secretariat and I’ll Have Another’s Triple Crown campaign, there are still a few similarities to dig up. Another similarity may come in the 2012 2012 Belmont Stakes with I’ll Have Another adding his name to the list with Secretariat as Triple Crown winners.