Preakness 2012: Runner-Up Bodemeister To Skip Belmont Stakes

On June 9, two things will be certain in the American sports world: 1) I'll Have Another will try to become the first horse to win the Triple Crown since Affirmed in 1978; and 2) Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes runner-up Bodemeister will not be in the field.

That news was confirmed Saturday, by the horses' trainer Bob Baffert who said that was the plan all along:

Baffert indicated that Bodemeister will rest up and point for a return to the races in the July 29 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park, a race the trainer has won five times, including the last two years with Lookin at Lucky and Coil.

The Belmont was never in the plans for Bodemeister after the horse played catch-up throughout the year, although Baffert did not disclose as much until Saturday.

Preakness 2012 Results: I'll Have Another Edges Out Bodemeister

I'll Have Another is now in position to become the first horse since Affirmed in 1978 to win the Triple Crown, after rallying to upset favorite Bodemeister and win the 137th running of the Preakness Stakes on Saturday night at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, MD. I'll Have Another finished the 1 3/16 mile track in 1:55.94.

"We're thinking Triple Crown, baby," said Doug O'Neill, trainer of I'll Have Another (via ESPN). "He's a special horse. We'll see how he comes out of it, and if he comes out of it in good shape, we're heading to New York, baby."

Bodemeister led nearly the entire way before being neck-in-neck with I'll Have Another down the stretch. Bodemeister came into the race as a 3-2 favorite while I'll Have Another entered with 3-1 odds.

I'll Have Another will look to win the Triple Crown at the 2012 Belmont Stakes, which take place on June 9 at 6:35 p.m. EST at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York.

For more on the Preakness, visit our racing blog, And Down The Stretch They Come.

Preakness 2012: Post Time, Positions, TV Coverage And More

The second leg of the Triple Crown arrives Saturday with the 2012 Preakness Stakes.