I'll Have Another Wins Another Triple Crown Race

Photo Credit: Matt Slocum/AP Photo

There's just something about horse racing that gets the heart pumping. You cheer on a horse and jockey you had likely never heard of before. I saw myself doing it as I watched the Preakness today. When I sat down to watch the Kentucky Derby less than two weeks ago, I had never heard of I'll Have Another. He was just another racehorse to me. The name Mario Gutierrez didn't ring a bell. He was just another short jockey to me. But then as I watched the Kentucky Derby, I saw Gutierrez masterfully guide his horse through the pack, eventually into the lead, and finally to victory. I gained the desire to know more about the horse, his jockey, and his trainer. I wanted to know their stories. That it what inspired my post-Kentucky Derby post about them. That is the reason I knew that no matter what, I would be cheering for I'll Have Another when it came time for the Preakness.

The day for the Preakness came today. I settled down in my recliner, hoping to see yet another beautifully executed run by Gutierrez and his horse. Today's race began much the same as the Derby with Bodemeister taking a substantial lead early. I'll Have Another stayed with the pack in fourth out of 11-horse field. Round the bend the came and into the straight away. Gutierrez began to make his move. Into second sprinted I'll Have Another, gaining on Bodemeister. Call me a doubter, but I didn't think there was enough time left for I'll Have Another to take the lead. On the edge of my seat, I watched intently as I'll Have Another did take the lead within a hair of the wire to win by a neck.

Now, we know what this means. Triple Crown watch: Kentucky Derby: 1st, Preakness: 1st, Belmont: still to come. I'll Have Another is the most recent to have a shot at the illusive Triple Crown. Of course, no horse has won the coveted honor since Affirmed in 1978. Since then, eleven horses have won the first two legs, but come up short in the Belmont Stakes. Belmont is the longest of the three races at 1 1/2 miles, which has earned it the name, "Test of the Champion." One thing to consider is that Bodemeister's trainer Bob Baffert has announced that his horse will not run at Belmont. With his obvious rival out of the way, buzz is quickly growing around I'll Have Another. People have been waiting decades for this. I know I will be cheering for him come June 9th. There's just something in you that wants to see history accomplished before your eyes. Now all that remains to be seen is if I'll Have Another has another dramatic win for us come June.

Here is a link to a video if you want to see the race yourself: http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=7950296

I'll Have Another Wins 138th Kentucky Derby

Photo Credit: David J. Phillip/AP Photo

With the 2012 Kentucky Derby running its course, favorite Bodemeister looked set to win, while I'll Have Another looked like just another horse at the derby. That was until the final furlong, which was when jockey Mario Gutierrez made his move. Gutierrez and I'll Have Another pulled away from the pack and became level with Bodemeister, who was leading. It was I'll Have Another who had something left in the tank as he made the pass to secure victory in the Kentucky Derby.

Both the jockey and horse were relatively unknown to most viewers, including many owners and trainers. I'll Have Another was granted a 15-1 shot at winning. Receiving the number 19 post, did not help the horse's odds of winning at all. No horse had ever won the Kentucky Derby out of that post, but that changed today. Bodemeister set a blistering pace from the onset, but it was I'll Have Another who closed the race the strongest.

The son of a jockey, Mario Gutierrez grew up on a small farm in Veracruz, Mexico. He began racing near his home, before immigrating to Vancouver, Canada to continue his career. With growing acclimation and success in Canada, Gutierrez decided to make his move to the United States. While racing in Southern California, owner J. Paul Reddam took notice of this young Mexican jockey. As trainer Doug O'Neill recalls, "Paul said, 'Let's give this kid a chance.'" Gutierrez made his debut jockeying I'll Have Another in the Robert Lewis Stakes at Santa Anita, which they won, despite having 43-1 odds. They then won the Santa Anita Derby, before entering the Kentucky Derby. In this race, the pair looked like seasoned veterans, who rode a simply masterful race. When asked the inevitable question of the possibility of a Triple Crown, O'Neill couldn't contain his excitement. He exclaimed, "Maryland, here we come baby!" This means we'll have another chance to watch Gutierrez and I'll Have Another race. This provides yet another chance at the coveted Triple Crown.