O’Neill’s mudslinging critics unfairly stain I’ll Have Another

It appears that the connections of I'll Have Another - namely trainer Doug O'Neill and owner J. Paul Reddam - are not leaving a warm, fuzzy feeling with some racing fans and media members.

The chorus is led by Penny Chenery, owner of 1973 Triple Crown champion Secretariat, and the New York Times. Chenery told the Atlantic magazine, "I think he (Reddam) should be embarrassed that the trainer he has chosen does not have a clean record."

Meanwhile, the New York Times ran an editorial before the Preakness openly rooting against I'll Have Another winning the race. Now the newspaper is in an awkward position of supposedly offering fair and balanced reporting on the horse leading up to the Belmont.

O'Neill would be the first to admit he has a rap sheet. He has been peppered with the same line of questioning, steadfastly defending himself.

In fact, the trainer's dark shadow obscures the great achievements of his horse. What I'll Have Another has done in winning all four starts in 2012 - the Robert Lewis, Santa Anita Derby, Kentucky Derby and Preakness - is the stuff of champions.

His lack of respect resonates with the public, too. I'll Have Another never has been favored in seven career starts, five of them wins.

If I'll Have Another wins the Triple Crown, maybe he will finally get his due. Reddam paid $35,000 for the Flower Alley colt at auction. It's good to know that for the price of an average sedan, someone could have bought the 12th winner of the elusive Triple Crown.

■ BELMONT TIPS - Three free handicapping seminars will be offered for the Belmont Stakes next weekend.

The South Point will host one at 6 p.m. June 8 featuring Southern California clocker Aaron Hesz, John Kelly of EOG.com and Patrick McGuiggan, the South Point's house handicapper.

Along with its weekly Thursday South Point Six handicapping contest, the South Point will host a free ballroom party on race day.

Jerry's Nugget will host a seminar at 11:30 a.m. June 9 with Richie Saber of Gaming Today and Lou D'Amico and Rich Rose of the Bad Beat radio show.

At Fiesta Henderson at 11:30 a.m. June 9, Jerry Jacovitz of Jerry J's Power Page and Ralph Siraco of Race Day Las Vegas will be in the race book.

■ TOURNAMENT QUALIFIERS - Two qualifiers will take place next weekend sandwiching the Belmont.

On June 8, the Orleans hosts a qualifier for the 2013 Horseplayer World Series. The entry fee is $100, and the winner will receive a free berth into the HWS.

On June 10, Treasure Island hosts a qualifier for the 2013 DRF/NTRA National Handicapping Championship. Entry is $300, and the top three finishers will win a free entry into the NHC.

Richard Eng's horse racing column is published Friday in the Las Vegas Review-Journal. He can be reached at rich_eng@hotmail.com. Follow him on Twitter: @richeng4propick.