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2012 Triple Crown: Trainer Calls I'll Have Another, "A Special Horse"

I'll Have Another won the Preakness Stakes on Saturday, setting himself up for a historic potential Triple Crown victory.

May 19, 2012;Baltimore, MD, USA; Mario Gutierrez aboard I'll Have Another (9) beats Mike E. Smith aboard Bodemeister (7) to win the running of the 137th Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course.  Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-US PRESSWIRE
May 19, 2012;Baltimore, MD, USA; Mario Gutierrez aboard I'll Have Another (9) beats Mike E. Smith aboard Bodemeister (7) to win the running of the 137th Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-US PRESSWIRE

It's been five years since horse racing had a serious Triple Crown threat, but after I'll Have Another galloped to a victory at the 2012 Preakness Stakes, he'll enter the Belmont Stakes with a chance at achieving immortality. His trainer, Doug O'Neill, who was buzzing on Saturday after I'll Have Another surged to victory, lauded his horse as he looked forward to the Belmont.

"We're thinking Triple Crown, baby," elated winning trainer Doug O'Neill said. "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."

(via ESPN.com)

The best news for O'Neill and I'll Have Another is that Bodemeister, the horse which finished second in both the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, will not make the trip to New York for the final leg of the Triple Crown.

For more on this race, stick with SB Nation St. Louis. For more on the 2012 Preakness, check out SB Nation's StoryStream.