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"Everyone wants to get involved, and I'm sure he's in a very stressful situation," Romans said. "It was bad enough with the Preakness winner coming in (against the Derby winner), no less a Triple Crown."
For his part, O'Neill is enjoying his time in the spotlight despite the scrutiny over his numerous medication violations in his 14 years as a trainer.
"The biggest thing is you're under a microscope all the time, and you have to answer questions for why you do everything," Romans said.
Before I'll Have Another went for his usual gallop, he visited the paddock where he will be saddled before the race. He also walked several times around the paddock before going through the tunnel leading to the track.
"The way he went today, that will be the last time he'll see the paddock (before the race)," O'Neill said. "He's good to go."
A few other Belmont horses had workouts, including trainer Bob Baffert's Paynter, who went seven furlongs 1:25.00.
Union Rags breezed five furlongs in 59.00 at Fair Hill Training Center in Elkton, Md.
John Velazquez, who will be riding the colt for the first time, made the trip from New York for the workout. Union Rags had a troubled trip in the Derby and ran seventh with Julien Leparoux aboard. The colt was held out of the Preakness.
"Johnny seemed to like him and he seemed to do that easy enough," trainer Michael Matz said.
By noon Wednesday, all Belmont horses are due at the newly created detention barn, ordered by the New York State Racing and Wagering Board just last week in an effort to beef up security.
Stricter drug protocols also will be in effect, perhaps a reaction to O'Neill's recent 45-day suspension and $15,000 fine by the California Horse Racing Board for exceeding the allowable limit of total carbon dioxide (TCO2), which can enhance performance while reducing fatigue, in one of his horses.
"I am kind of looking forward to running him in a situation when you're in a fishbowl and everyone who has thought negative thoughts about me can realize it's not about me, it's about the horse," O'Neill said. "And they can watch him lead up to a historical event and, hopefully, watch him kick butt, in a fishbowl."
[Associated Press;
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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