Elmont, NY (CBS) -- A shot at horse racing's triple crown will have to wait for another year. "I'll Have Another" has been withdrawn from the big race.
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"I'll Have Another'" was paraded in front of the cameras before his owner and trainers announced the startling news. The horses J. Paul Reddam says, "History will have to wait for another day."
The winner of the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness was suddenly scratched from the Belmont Stakes with a swollen tendon. It was just hours after going for an early morning jog. Trainer Doug O'Neill says, "It's extremely disappointing, and I feel so sorry for the whole team."
Belmont Stakes veterinarian Larry Bramlage says the horse could have run the race, but would have risked further injury.
"I'll Have Another's" trainer confirmed he has run his last race. The 3-year-old colt was trying to become horse racing's 12th Triple Crown winner. It hasn't been done since "affirmed" in 1978.
More than 100,000 people were expected for the big race. It's a wide-open field now, but horse-racing fans say without "I'll Have Another" the event just won't be the same.
"I'll Have Another" was purchased for $35,000, and won almost $2.7 million. He still has earning potential through breeding fees, even if he couldn't accomplish horse-racing's greatest feat.
The scratch marks the first time since 1936 that the Derby and Preakness winner didn't run in the Belmont.