Skip to main content
Come Fan with UsFriday, June 26, 2026

2012 Belmont Stakes: I’ll Have Another’s Unconventional Training

Here’s a good tidbit on I’ll Have Another’s training for the 2012 Belmont Stakes: Trainer Doug O’Neill will prepare I’ll Have Another for his Triple Crown try with strong gallups instead of formal workouts.

It’s an unconventional training method, but it could make a big difference given the unique challenge presented by the track at Belmont Park. At 1 1/2 miles, the Belmont Stakes is the longest of the Triple Crown races, and the previous three Triple Crown winners — Secretariat (1973), Seattle Slew (1977) and Affirmed (1978) — all worked at least one mile to prepare for the grueling distance.

O’Neill told the Associated Press that the training suits the style of his horse.

“If anyone got a chance to see him,” he said,“he stretches and puts a lot of effort into his gallops.”

O’Neill spoke to reporters after flying in from the West Coast to begin Belmont Stakes training, and he seems undeterred by the 45-day suspension he will face from the California racing board after the big race.

The 144th running of the Belmont Stakes will be held at Belmont Park in Elmont, N.Y. on Saturday, June 9.

For more on the world of horse racing, visit And Down The Stretch They Come and stay tuned to this StoryStream.

See More:

More in General

GeneralFromPosting and Toasting
An SB Nation New Yorker needs our helpAn SB Nation New Yorker needs our help
GeneralFromPosting and Toasting
General
Sabastian Sawe breaks 2-hour barrier, shatters marathon world recordSabastian Sawe breaks 2-hour barrier, shatters marathon world record
General

The mythical two-hour mark was broken at the London Marathon.

By Bernd Buchmasser
A Huge Dog
THE HISTORY OF CHARGING THE MOUND, EPISODE 1THE HISTORY OF CHARGING THE MOUND, EPISODE 1
Play
General
Super Bowl 60 coin toss resultsSuper Bowl 60 coin toss results
General

The Seahawks and Patriots will open the Super Bowl with the coin toss to determine who starts with the ball. We have the full coin toss results for Super Bowl 60.

By David Fucillo
General
Marc Marquez completes a comeback for the agesMarc Marquez completes a comeback for the ages
General

MotoGP’s Marc Marquez completed a comeback for the ages with his 2025 title

By Mark Schofield
General
How to make sure SBNation.com appears in your Google search resultsHow to make sure SBNation.com appears in your Google search results