Shackleford spoiled Animal Kingdom’s shot at the Triple Crown by doing something the colt failed to do two weeks away in Louisville, holding on to the lead.
The Jesus Castanon-rode horse held off a late-charging Animal Kingdown to win the 136rd running of the Preakness Stakes by a half of a length.
As expected, the pace was much faster in the second gem of the Triple Crown than it was on Derby Day as Flashpoint raced out to the lead by clicking the first three-quarters of a mile in :22.69, :46.87, and 1:12.01. The race started blazing fast, but slowed down half way through. That would doom both Animal Kingdom and fellow closer Dialed In, who finished fourth. Astrology, a 15-1 shot, finished a strong third just behind Animal Kingdom.
Shackleford stayed just off the lead after getting a clean break out of the gate in the fifth post position and remained there until the second turn when he sent the horse into first and stayed there until reaching the finish line. He paid $27.20 for his third victory in seven career starts. Shackleford ran 1 3/16 miles on a fast track in 1:56.47 and earned $600,000. He also set the pace in the Derby, but tired late to finish fourth.
With the Triple Crown out of the equation it remains to be seen what the field will look like in three weeks when the Belmont Stakes unfold in New York.
ORDER OF FINISH
1. Shackleford
2. Animal Kingdom
3. Astrology
4. Dialed In
5. Dance City
6. Mucho Macho Man
7. King Congie
8. Mr. Commons
9. Isn’t He Perfect
10. Concealed Identity
11. Norman Asbjornson
12. Sway Away
13. Midnight Interlude
14. Flashpoint
PAYOUTS
Shackleford 27.20, 10.20, 6.80
Animal Kingdom 4.20, 3.60
Astrology 8.00
EXOTICS
Exacta: 5-11 $114.80
Trifecta: 5-11-1 $1,401.80
Superfecta: 5-11-1-10 $6,212.60
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Horse Racing
2011 triple crown, 136 preakness stakes, preakness stakes, shackleford, animal kingdom, astrology, dialed in