Belmont Stakes, June 6 2009

Preakness Winner Shackleford Confirmed for Belmont Stakes

Preakness winner Shackleford worked five furlongs in 1:00.30 at Belmont Park on Saturday morning, after which trainer Dale Romans announced that he will run in the 143rd renewal of the Grade 1, $1 million Belmont Stakes on Saturday, June 11.

“As long as he comes out of the work good he will run,” Romans said, after conferring via telephone with owner Michael Lauffer. “I am excited he’s doing so well and coming into the race the right way. I think he’s going to be very competitive.”

The announcement sets up a rubber match between Shackleford and Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom, and will represent just the 22nd time in the history of the Triple Crown that the Derby and Preakness winners have squared off in the Belmont.

“It’s fun to get a rivalry started [with Animal Kingdom],” said Romans. “It’s good for racing.”

With exercise rider Tammy Fox aboard on the Belmont main track, Shackleford went the first eighth in 12.41, three furlongs in 36.26, five furlongs in 1:00.30, and galloped out in 1:14.21.

“I wanted to see him work his normal work, and he did today,” said Romans of the 3-year-old son of Forestry out of the Unbridled mare Oatsee. “I thought he went around there really well and it looked like he did everything the way he was supposed to.”

Shackleford, whose half-sister Lady Joanne won the Grade 1, 1 ¼-mile Alabama at Saratoga Race Course in 2007, will seek to become the 19th horse to complete the Preakness-Belmont double, a feat last accomplished by 2005 3-Year-Old Champion, Afleet Alex.

“I think he will handle the [1 ½ mile] distance,” said Romans. “Under the right scenario he will be fine. You would think [he would be on the lead]. He’s been on the lead the last two races. I don’t know who’s going to jump in and try to get in front of him.”

Point Given (2001), Tabasco Cat (1994), Hansel (1991), Risen Star (1988), Little Current (1974), Damascus (1967), Nashua (1955), Native Dancer (1953), Capot (1949), Bimelech (1940), Pillory (1922), Man o’ War (1920), Belmar (1895), Saunterer (1881), Grenada (1880), Duke of Magenta (1878), and Cloverbrook (1877) were the only others to win the second and last races in the Triple Crown without having won the Derby.

Shackleford, who was a game half-length winner over Animal Kingdom in the Preakness, has a lifetime record of 3-1-0 from seven starts with career earnings of $1,471,666.

Among the others under consideration for the 1 ½-mile Belmont, which has a maximum field of 16, are Brilliant Speed, seventh in the Kentucky Derby; Harlan’s Hello, winner of an optional claimer at Belmont; Isn’t He Perfect, ninth in the Preakness; Master of Hounds, fifth in the Derby; Monzon, sixth in the Peter Pan; Mucho Macho Man, sixth in the Preakness; Derby runner-up Nehro; Prime Cut, third in the Peter Pan; Ruler On Ice, second in the Frederico Tesio at Pimlico; Santiva, sixth in the Derby, and Stay Thirsty, 12th in the Derby.

HEAD-TO-HEAD
DERBY WINNERS vs. PREAKNESS WINNERS IN BELMONT STAKES