12-1 long shot holds off ‘Kingdom’ down stretch
BALTIMORE — Shackleford stole the 136th Preakness Stakes on Saturday.
With Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom breaking badly and falling too far behind and second-choice Dialed In trying to rally late at a Pimlico Race Course that traditionally favors speed, the Triple Crown’s second leg instead went to a colt who needed a second chance.
Shackleford, an overlooked 12-1 after finishing fourth in the Derby, outlasted charging 5-2 favorite Animal Kingdom in the final 16th of a mile. Shackleford covered 13Ú16 miles in 1:562Ú5 to win by a half length.
“[Animal Kingdom] needed another 16th [of a mile],” trainer Graham Motion said. “He came so close. What hurt him was slowing down [in] the middle of the race.”
Indeed, it was a strange race in terms of pace. After the front-runners cut a crisp opening quarter mile of 464Ú5 seconds, the 14-horse field slowed to reach one mile at a modest 1:371Ú5. That left Shackleford with enough stamina to finish strongly and keep Animal Kingdom from heading to the Belmont Stakes on June 11 as the first potential Triple Crown winner since 1978.
“At the quarter pole I thought I had a chance,” Animal Kingdom jockey John Velazquez said. “It was a little too much to make up.”
The same could be said for Dialed In, the 4-1 second choice that was a disappointing eighth in the Kentucky Derby. The Florida Derby winner was fighting a traditional track bias against late runners and trailed by 17 lengths midway. Dialed In found himself right behind Animal Kingdom at the quarter pole but lacked the final kick of the Kentucky Derby winner and finished fourth.
Instead, Shackleford earned his first significant victory after two modest nonstakes wins in six starts. The colt has steadily improved after finishing fifth in the Fountain of Youth Stakes, losing the Florida Derby by a head and finishing fourth in the Kentucky Derby. This time, jockey Jesus Lopez Castanon smartly kept Shackleford near the leaders until midway on the final turn.
And like so many previous Preakness winners, Shackleford then was turned loose for a final stretch spring. Astrology, coming off three straight seconds in modest stakes, couldn’t stay with Shackleford in finishing third. Indeed, Shackleford momentarily looked like he would be a runaway winner before Animal Kingdom’s late run.
Castanon’s eyes moistened while he returned to the winner’s circle, remembering his late father, a trainer who passed away in November. The jockey is not among the nation’s top names, but he’s certainly a polished rider.
“Castanon’s like a critically acclaimed movie that didn’t make a big hit,” trainer Dale Romans said. “He’s the best rider on the backstretch.”
It was Castanon’s first Triple Crown race victory. Same goes for Romans and Shackleford. Romans was unsure whether Shackleford will enter the Belmont, but the horse is certainly primed to contend for other major races in a lackluster year.
Examiner columnist Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more on Twitter @Snide_Remarks or email [email protected].
