Shackleford Commands Win in Preakness Stakes Over Animal Kingdom

There was nothing wrong with Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom in the $1M Preakness Stakes May 21, 2011 at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore Maryland; he was just bullied too long and too hard by Shackleford, who took the front immediately and never looked back.

Shackleford and Flashpoint set the pace for most of the race until Shackleford split to the lead alone and separated himself all the way to the wire. Flashpoint faded to last.

Jockey Jesus Castanon Wins Preakness Debut

There were four jockeys riding debuts in the 2011 Preakness Stakes, and one, Jesus Castanon, coolly did it perfectly aboard Shackleford.

Shackleford's trainer, Dale Romans, hit the wire second with First Dude in the 2010 Preakness, and watched as Shackleford finished a game fourth in the 2011 Kentucky Derby May 7. Romans expressed no surprise in any of his recent training accomplishments.

Even his Preakness debuting jockey was exceptionally calm following the tremendous victory of Shackleford, who gobbled up the stretch while Animal Kingdom began to pounce on the leaders. Shackleford didn't just hold Animal Kingdom off; he took the menacing challenge and thwarted it, never giving an inch, with one half length to spare at the finish.

"He always does that," Romans told post-race interviewers of Shackleford's lathered pre-race antics before the colt was finally pushed into the starting gate.

"...he was able to calm down," Castanon added.

Better yet, Castanon was able to rate Shackleford after a blistering first quarter in :22 and change. Keeping the lead, but at a much slower pace that brought him past the half mile pole in :46.87, Shackleford matched Castanon's intelligence and skill in going wire to wire for the victory. The pair covered the 1-3/16 miles in 1:56.47.

Complete Order of Finish Preakness 2011

Hall of Fame rider Mike Smith was able to pace A.P. Indy colt Astrology, the Sunland Derby's runner-up, to a third place trip in the Preakness.

The complete order of finish follows: No.1 Shackleford (from Gate 5); No.2 Animal Kingdom (11); No.3 Astrology (1); No.4 Dialed In (10); No.5 Dance City (8); No.6 Mucho Macho Man (9); No.7 King Congie (3); No.8 Mr. Commons (14); No.9 Isn't He Perfect (12); No.10 Concealed Identity (13); No.11 Norman Asbjornson (2); No.12 Sway Away (6); No.13 Midnight Interlude (7); No.14 Flashpoint (4).

Robby Albarado, who lost his ride on Animal Kingdom for the Derby because of injury, rode King Congie in the Preakness.

Motion and Velazquez On Animal Kingdom

Trainer Graham Motion, thrilled with Animal Kingdom's strong stretch kick in the Derby, couldn't hide disappointment after the Preakness, but still said his charge "ran huge" coming from well behind to fight his way around the final turn and contend.

Jockey John Velazquez reviewed Animal Kingdom's effort by suggesting the colt was bothered by dirt being thrown in his face in the early going, something Animal Kingdom wasn't exposed to in the Derby. By the time he got Animal Kingdom where he wanted him from the slowed pace, Velazquez indicated, he had too much ground to make up to catch Shackleford.

No Triple Crown Winner

While Animal Kingdom's effort couldn't be disputed, Thoroughbred racing in America is again left with no possibility of a Triple Crown series victor. No horse has swept the classics, the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes, since Affirmed's triple in 1978.

The 1970s were bathed with three Triple Crown champions: Affirmed; Seattle Slew (1977); and Secretariat (1973).

Shackleford's Connections

A Forestry (by Storm Cat) son, Shackleford's dam is Oatsee, sired by Unbridled, who won the Kentucky Derby in 1990.

Shackleford's owner/breeders are Michael Lauffer and W.D. Cubbedge.

The handsome chestnut colt with the wide white facial blaze upped his earnings to $971,666 with the $600,000 winner's share of the Preakness. From seven starts, Shackleford has three victories and one second place finish.