Not your typical 3rd weekend in May!

When I'll Have Another crossed the finish line last Saturday evening, it capped off quite a magical two days for your's truly. You see it wasn't your typical third week in May. Last Friday evening, my step daughter; Nicole Wittemeyer who I knew since she was five year's old, got married to the "love of her life" Mark Viscusi in a wonderful ceremony in Rexford at the Edison Club. The beautiful weather was only equaled to the ceremony itself and a good time was had by all. It was a proud moment for me and her mother; Karen, seeing her little girl so happy and grown up. She and Mark had their time in the sun Friday and the beginning of a long and wonderful life together. It was a moment to remember in my life, we don't forget moments like that. The next day was another moment to remember, for the horse racing fan. And this moment is also the beginning of something wonderful, for our sport.

Last week I talked about something that could give thoroughbred racing the shot in the arm it needed. It would set up a magical moment at Belmont Park on June 9th and return the excitement unseen in four years. Unfortunately, the job did not get done in 2008. It also was unsuccessful 11 times before that and was last done in 1978. It was thirty four years ago, when Affirmed won thoroughbred racing's Triple Crown. Many have tried since then and they came up short. In two weeks, it will be the 12th attempt to crown the 12th Triple Crown champion. Will, I'll Have Another be the "lucky" #12 to complete this historic feat?

I stated early on the Triple Crown trail that the class of 2012 could be the best in five years. After the first two legs of this year's Triple Crown, there are two horses that stick out among this class. Their "rivalry" could have been compared to Affirmed and Alydar from 1978, the last time we had a Triple Crown winner. It was an epic two horse race or battle between these two in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. Both times, I'll Have Another ran down the speedy Bodemeister in class ic racehorse fashion. Last Saturday's Preakness Stakes was what thoroughbred racing is all about. The excitement of the Kentucky Derby winner, showing guts and determination versus his foe the second time they met on racing's biggest stage. In defeat, Bodemeister showed he is a courageous fighter paving the way in both Triple Crown races on the front end. He gets a break from the third and final leg; the Belmont Stakes, but will be sure to renew this rivalry later on in the year.

Now, we sit and wait the next two weeks and this wonderful story will continue. The California connections that are so likable and colorful. The unknown jockey from Mexico via Canada , who has now become a household name. And of course; the horse, who is now on a four race win streak and looks to become a legend in a few weeks. These are the things that add up to a wonderful and magical time in our sport, one that is needed and one that will return thoroughbred racing to the headlines for the "right" reasons! So, sit back and enjoy I'll Have Another and his quest to become the 12th Triple Crown winner of thoroughbred racing. It will be a tough road, but it's been fun so far and this writer will be rooting him on. It's not hard to do this with these connections and just MAYBE this time, we will see history being made!