Former President Bill Clinton says I'll Have Another has a "good chance'' to win the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) June 9 and become racing's first Triple Crown winner in 34 years. He also says Dullahan could be the Kentucky Derby Presented By Yum! Brands (gr. I) and Preakness (gr. I) winner's biggest challenger.
Clinton made his comments June 1 at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, N.J., where he was attending a dinner.
Clinton said I'll Have Another "looked like he had some juice left at the end of both those races, but the real wild card, I think, is the horse that finished third in the Derby, what's his name? The Irish name? Dullahan.''
Dullahan finished 1 3/4 lengths behind I'll Have Another in the Derby after a wide trip around Churchill Downs.
Clinton said the 1 1/2-mile Belmont might be a good race for Dullahan because "he closed just as strong as I'll Have Another and he came out of maybe more interference. So, if that horse has a race like he had in the Derby, he could still give I'll Have Another a race.''