Cauthen likes I’ll Have Another’s Triple chances

For Triple Crown-winning jockey Steve Cauthen, 34 years ago seems like yesterday. And after watching I’ll Have Another’s victories in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, he thinks the Triple Crown drought might finally come to an end in the Belmont Stakes.

Cauthen says the colt has a “great temperament” and it looks like he has a “great chance” in the June 9 Belmont to become the first horse to sweep all three races since 1978, when Cauthen did it aboard Affirmed.

Back when he was an 18-year-old riding sensation, Cauthen guided Affirmed to narrow victories over rival Alydar in the Derby, Preakness and Belmont. Since then, no Triple, but plenty of tries – 11 in fact, and each failed, some tantalizingly closer to the finish line than others.