WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The jockey who came agonizingly close to winning the Triple Crown aboard Smarty Jones nearly a decade ago believes I’ll Have Another is poised to join one of thoroughbred racing’s most exclusive clubs.

Stewart Elliott said I’ll Have Another and jockey Mario Gutierrez can win the $1 million Belmont Stakes on Saturday in New York and end the 34-year drought of Triple Crown champions.

BALTIMORE (Reuters) – Kentucky Derby champion I’ll Have Another won the $1 million Preakness Stakes on Saturday to remain on course for the Triple Crown, the greatest prize in U.S. thoroughbred horse racing.

It has been 34 years since the last horse, Affirmed, swept the three classic races, but I’ll Have Another has the chance to join the sport’s elite if he can win the Belmont Stakes in New York on June 9.

BALTIMORE (Reuters) – Mario Gutierrez gazed over the large group of reporters at the Pimlico stables, nervously grabbing the microphone to discuss the Preakness Stakes.

The 25-year-old Mexican, the new hotshot jockey in the sport of kings, spoke cautiously, exposing a case of jitters he never displays on the track.

BALTIMORE (Reuters) – While the Preakness Stakes appears to be a two-horse affair between Kentucky Derby champ I’ll Have Another and the speedster Bodemeister, the owner of Went the Day Well is waving the caution flag.

Barry Iwrin concedes most eyes on Saturday will be fixed on the two heavily favored Southern California-based colts but he sees a silver lining for his bay son of Proud Citizen.

BALTIMORE (Reuters) – Kentucky Derby champion I’ll Have Another will open from the ninth post in Saturday’s $1 million Preakness Stakes as the lightly raced chestnut looks to stay in contention for the elusive Triple Crown.

Two slots inside I’ll Have Another in the seven hole will be Bodemeister, the Bob Baffert-trained colt that ran out of gas in the final 100 yards in the Derby and finished second.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – In a city that has more than its share of recognizable faces, Washington Nationals teenager Bryce Harper is quickly becoming a rock star.

The outfielder, tabbed by many as a future Major League Baseball (MLB) All-Star, had not even picked up a bat in town before being noticed on Monday by a group playing slow-pitch softball on the National Mall.

NEW YORK (Reuters) – After spending years searching for a quarterback of the future the success-starved Washington Redskins believe they have landed one in Robert Griffin III.

The Redskins traded four draft choices to get into position to select the Heisman Trophy winner from Baylor with the No. 2 pick in the NFL Draft on Thursday.

NEW YORK (Reuters) – New Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck admits he could never replace Peyton Manning, his football idol growing up.

The Stanford signal-caller was chosen with the No. 1 overall pick by the Colts in the NFL Draft on Thursday and inherits the starting spot now that Manning has left town.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Washington Capitals overcame the absence of Nicklas Backstrom and a 45-21 disadvantage in shots on goal to defeat the Boston Bruins 2-1 on Thursday and level their Eastern Conference first round playoff best-of-seven series at 2-2.

Braden Holtby, Washington’s 22-year-old rookie netminder, was brilliant in goal, repeatedly stopping Boston drives to the net with acrobatic saves.

BALTIMORE (Reuters) – Baltimore Orioles southpaw Chen Wei-yin opened his Major League Baseball career with a solid debut, giving up two earned runs and seven hits to the New York Yankees over five-plus innings in a narrow home defeat on Tuesday.

The Taiwanese rookie with impressive credentials from Japan’s Central League was pulled from the game with two outs in the sixth with the Orioles and the defending AL East champions locked at 4-4.