CHICAGO - The NATO alliance that has fought for a decade in Afghanistan is helping that nation shift toward stability and peace, but there will be "hard days ahead," President Barack Obama said Sunday as alliance leaders insisted the fighting coalition will remain effective despite France's plans to yank combat troops out early.

"The loss of life continues in Afghanistan and there will be hard days ahead."

The end of the war is in sight, Obama said following a lengthy discussion with Afghan President Hamid Karzai on the sidelines of the NATO summit.

BALTIMORE - I'll Have Another poked his head out of his stall, started nibbling on his nameplate tacked to a wall and looked up at all the people watching his every move.

Yes, I'll Have Another came out of his thrilling Preakness victory over Bodemeister in "super shape," trainer Doug O'Neill said Sunday, and now it's on to New York for a Triple Crown try in the Belmont Stakes on June 9.

Bring it on," O'Neill said as he held court outside the stall of his Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner.