2011 PREAKNESS STAKES

© 2011 Cindy Pierson Dulay

Shackleford  (Right in Blue Cap) holds off Animal Kingdon to win  The 136th Running of The Preakness Stakes.

SHACKLEFORD OUTRUNS THE FIELD IN THE 136TH PREAKNESS

THE PREAKNESS STAKES OFFICIAL RESULTS

MAY 21, 2011

PREAKNESS STAKES (136TH RUNNING)

$1,000,000 GRADE I 

PIMLICO RACECOURSE, BALTIMORE, MARYLAND

FOR THREE YEAR OLDS

ONE AND THREE-SIXTEENTH MILES

MAIN TRACK: FAST

Shackleford

Winner

136th Preakness Stakes

Jockey: Jesus Castanon

Trainer: Dale Romans

Owner: Michael Lauffer and W.D. Cubbedge

Chestnut Colt

Sire: Forestry

Dam: Oatsee, by Unbridled (February 25, 2008) (KY)

Breeder: Mike Lauffer & Bill Cubbedge

OFFICIAL ORDER OF FINISH

 22.69, 46.87, 1:12.01, 1:37.22, 1:56.47
 

Scratched Horses: None

Preakness 136 Ensures No Triple This Year

May 21, 2011

136th Preakness Stakes

Pimlico Racecourse: Baltimore, Maryland

It only took 1:56.47 for Shackleford to get to the wire first in this years Preakness Stakes.  That time would be good for a diminishing half length victory over Derby winner Animal Kingdom.  On a track labeled fast but resembled one on the slow/dull side the winner was able to overcome his fourth place finish in Louisville two weeks ago to give his trainer Dale Romans and journeyman Jesus Castanon their first wins in this three-year-old series.  For Castanon it was his first Grade I win ever.  Shackleford, a son of Forestry out of the Unbridled mare Oatsee, was bred in Kentucky by his owners Mike Lauffer and Bill Cubbedge. The chestnut colt has now won three times in seven starts. His last win was a first-level allowance at Gulfstream in February.

Before the race on track commentator Donna Barton-Brothers would make mention on television that Shackleford did not look like an animal that would be successful on this day given the fact he had completely washed out in the paddock and post parades. As the field of fourteen entered the gate what would be surprising was when they opened it Animal Kingdom would break near the back more than Shackleford was right near the front.  After blazing the opening quarter, the leaders (Flashpoint & Shackleford) were able to slow the pace down getting the second and third quarters in over 25 second a piece.  For a field completely stretched out down the backside with the Derby winner running twelfth that would be reason to sound the trouble alarm. Animal Kingdom and jockey John Velazquez would be left with the chore of trying to pick through a tiring field that is starting to back up while finding room outside giving up lengths all the while having dirt thrown in their face.  In the end it turned out to be a half length too big of a chore.  Take nothing away from the Derby winner though he raced valiantly to the wire.  Had his pilot put him in a better position things may have been different and a rematch at The Belmont in three weeks time will be a good place to settle this series.

In winning the Preakness, Shackleford denied not only Animal Kingdom a chance at the Triple Crown but also denied Dialed In of a $5.5 million bonus from MI Developments for winning the Holy Bull Stakes and The Florida Derby and had he won Saturday in The Preakness.  Shackleford on the other hand earned a $550,000 bonus for running fifth in the Fountain Of Youth and second in The Florida Derby as well as winning The Preakness, also from MI Developments.

It seems that every year the quality of the three-year-old classes get smaller and smaller.  And with all things considered these groups seem to race less every year in prepping for these big events which makes the number of horses that wind up on the sidelines even more baffling if not just disturbing.  Hopefully this class gets back Uncle Mo in time for the summer season as there seems to be a handful in this lot that could make some noise in the handicap division later on this year.  As a group this class is not stellar but there is a handful that could be very good.  Even with the newer infield rules the announced Preakness attendance was 107,398,  making it the sixth largest crowd in the day’s history. The day's overall handle was $76,376,689, the seventh largest all time.  In a time when ESPN will not show the afternoon undercard and you can’t see it on TVG either those handle numbers are reasonably good especially in a rough time for Maryland racing. For now its on to the Belmont and the rubber match between the Derby and Preakness winners and maybe a few newcomers as well.

For the recap of the race see below.

Shackleford and Isn’t He Perfect bobbled at the break while Sway Away had to be steadied after being bumped along with a slow beginning from Animal Kingdom.  Flashpoint would show the best early foot and lead the field through the opening quarter in a swift 22.69, a half mile of 46.87 and three-quarters in 1:12.01.  Shackleford would recover after the bad start and rate a half length off the leader through the opening six panels while Astrology and Dialed In would be another length and a half back in third and fourth.  Animal Kingdom was near the back of the pack running in twelfth place.  Coming out of the far turn and into the stretch Shackleford took command and edged clear before turning back an inside challenge from Astrology nearing the eighth pole.  In deep stretch he kicked clear and then changed leads to his left and dug in to hold off a late challenge from Derby winner Animal Kingdom to win The 136^th Running of The Preakness by a half length at the wire covering the distance in 1:56.47. Animal Kingdom, who was far back early, was left with too much to do in the lane and came up short running second while Astrology was third.  Shackleford is a three-year-old chestnut colt owned by Michael Lauffer & W.D. Cubbedge, trained by Dale Romans and was ridden by Jesus Castanon.