Derby and Preakness champ gallops at Belmont Park

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Elmont, NY (Sports Network) - Exercise rider Humberto Gomez guided Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner I'll Have Another through a mile gallop at Belmont Park Friday morning ahead of the $1 million Belmont Stakes on June 9.

The gallop followed two days of jogging for the chestnut colt at the 1 1/2 mile track.

"He was a little hard to pull up," said Gomez. "He felt really good. We're happy because he came out of the last race very good. He handled the track very, very well."

I'll Have Another is being cared for at Belmont Park by Jack Sisterson, assistant to trainer Doug O'Neill.

"He looked super. One thing we were looking to see how he got over the track, stride-wise, and he looked fantastic," Sisterson stated. "The rider said he felt good, and he's happy, so we're happy."

A victory in the Test of Champions would make I'll Have Another the 12th three-year-old to become Triple Crown champ. There has not been a Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978.

Currently, the other horses expected to face I'll Have Another are Alpha, Atigun, Dullahan, Five Sixteen, Guyana Star Dweej, Optimizer, Paynter, Ravelo's Boy, Street Life, Union Rags, and Unstoppable U.

The Belmont Stakes post position draw will be held Wednesday, June 6 at 11 a.m. (et).