In a storyline unique to horse racing, Triple Crown hopeful I'll Have Another will be forced to race without a nasal strip in the 2012 Belmont Stakes. The equipment is designed to reduce exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhaging and the strips are allowed in every other state and by the U.S. Equestrian Federation in Olympic sports, but the New York Racing Association stewards have banned nasal strips, as noted by Eric Mitchell of BloodHorse.com.
Trainer Doug O'Neill doesn't think it will bother I'll Have Another in the Belmont Stakes:
"We understand that this is the rule in New York and we'll follow the rules," O'Neill said. "But it will be a zero issue. He's a freak. You could put a blindfold on him, and he'll run his race. This will be his first race without one, but he'll be fine."
The strips were approved in New York for a brief time in 1999, but they were banned at NYRA tracks upon a re-evaluation in the same year.
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