Perhaps in reaction to O'Neill's medication violations, the New York State Racing and Wagering Board stepped in last Tuesday, installing new regulations aimed at protecting the integrity of the Belmont.
There will be tighter security around the detention barn and stricter drug protocols for the race. The changes were announced just over a week after New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo declared a three-year state takeover of the New York Racing Association, which operates the tracks at Belmont, Aqueduct and Saratoga.
NYRA, meanwhile, is under scrutiny after a series of fatal breakdowns at Aqueduct over the winter, and a scandal in which bettors were overcharged that led to the firings of top NYRA executives.
O'Neill understands the changes, but wonders why the new rules weren't announced earlier. He's fine with it, but worries his horse, and others, could be affected by the change of scenery.
"Horses are creatures of habit," he said. "Each stall has a different smell, feel to it. Now we're going to have to go over to a different barn. It's an inconvenience for the horse and the staff, but this horse is unbelievable. He's the kind of horse who can change stalls every day and he'll be just fine. I think we'll be in good shape."
Romans, who will send out Derby third-place finisher Dullahan in the Belmont, knows all about the stress of training horses for Triple Crown races.
"Everyone wants to get involved and I'm sure he's in a very stressful situation," said Romans, who won the 2011 Preakness with Shackleford. "You are under the microscope all the time and you have to answer questions for why you do everything."
So with all the hurdles O'Neill and his team are trying to clear before I'll Have Another's attempt at immortality, how's the trainer holding up?
"I'm having a blast," he said. "Are you kidding me?"
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