There Will Be No Triple Crown Winner This Year

Summary: The winner of the Kentucky Derby won't be able to participate in the Belmont Stakes Race, since he's been victim of an accident during the second competition for the Triple Crown: the Preakness Stakes.

The winner of the Kentucky Derby won't be able to participate in the Belmont Stakes Race, since he's been victim of an accident during the second competition for the Triple Crown: the Preakness Stakes. Barbaro is recovering from an injury suffered a couple weeks ago in a career- ending breakdown at the Preakness. Barbaro shattered his right rear leg. The 2006 Kentucky Derby winner is under a 24/7 watch in a 12 by 12 foot stall. Three resident veterinarians are taking good care of the champion. The full physical that he is submitted to every day includes temperature, heart and blood checks, examination of his feet, a look at the fiberglass cast and specially designed left hind shoe, the doling out of medication and walks around his new home. Every six hours Barbaro undergoes an abbreviated physical practiced by a veterinarian, a nurse or a medical student. Barbaro was expected to become the next Triple Crown Champion, after his performance on May 6 in the Kentucky Derby. Two weeks later, he would suffer an awful accident and broke his leg. Barbaro was transported to the University of Pennsylvania's Hospital at New Bolton Center in a horse-ambulance. The next day, Barbaro underwent to a five hour surgery to repair three broken bones with a metal plate and 27 screws. The winner of the Preakness Stakes: Bernardini won't be able to run the Belmont Stakes race either since the owner has decided the horse needed a break. This is the first time since the year 2000 that the winner of the Kentucky Derby and the winner of the Preakness Stakes miss the Belmont Stakes eliminating any chance to have a Triple Crown winner.