by Brisnet Staff
Preakness S. (Grade 1) winner Shackleford arrived at Belmont
Park just before 10 a.m. (EDT) Monday in advance of a possible start in
the 143rd running of the $1 million Belmont S. (Grade 1) on June 11.
“He looks good,” said Scotty Everett, assistant trainer to Dale
Romans. “We are excited to have him here at Belmont.”
Shackleford will walk the shedrow at Romans’ barn on Tuesday before
going to the track on Wednesday, according to Romans. A final decision
on his status for the Belmont is expected later this week.
If the colt is given the green light for the race, it will set up a
rubber match between him and Kentucky Derby (Grade 1) winner Animal
Kingdom. The rematch would represent just the 20th time in the history of
the Triple Crown that the Derby and Preakness winners have squared off
in the Belmont.
Shackleford, whose half-sister Lady Joanne won the 1 1/4-mile
Alabama S. (Grade 1) at Saratoga in 2007, will seek to become the 19th horse to
complete the Preakness-Belmont double, a feat last accomplished by Afleet Alex
in 2005
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 7-3-1-0 with career earnings of $1,471,666
for owners Michael Lauffer and Bill Cubbedge.
Among the others under consideration for the 1 1/2-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 S. (Grade 2); Mucho Macho Man, sixth in the Preakness and third
in the Derby; Derby runner-up Nehro; Prime Cut, third in
the Peter Pan; Ruler On Ice, second in the Frederico Tesio S. at
Pimlico; Santiva, sixth in the Derby, and Stay Thirsty, 12th in the Derby.