Why Yes, I'll Have Another...Victory in the Preakness

I'll Have Another did it again this past Saturday evening with a thrilling finish to take the middle jewel of the Triple Crown.  It was the 137th running of the Preakness Stakes in Baltimore, Maryland and this race did not disappoint.  Only two weeks after winning the Derby, I'll Have Another had a tremendous finish to beat the favorite Bodemeister (who's now led both races until the final straightaways and has finished 2nd/place each time).  Here's the exciting race in its entirety:

 

Now it's on to New York for a Triple Crown try in the Belmont Stakes on June 9.  It will be the 12th time since 1978 a horse will try to complete the Triple Crown and the first since 2008 (Big Brown).  It will be a three week build up to the race known as the "Test of the Champion."  It's 1.5 miles long (quarter mile longer than the Derby which is 1/16 of a mile longer than the Preakness) and by far the longest of the 3 races.  Unfortunately Bodemeister won't be there to push I'll Have Another as the trainer said that he's had enough and will skip the Belmont.  That's too bad really.  Nothing like quitting because you keep losing!

I am actually looking forward to the Belmont come 6/9 because there has never been a triple crown winner in my life time.  There were 3 in the 1970s: Affirmed in '78, Seattle Slew in '77, and Secretariat in '73.  Since 1987 (my birth year), 9 horses have won the first two legs.  Could this finally be the year?  34 years is by far the longest drought between Triple Crown winners and I hope we see it!