The $1 million Preakness Stakes (G1) is the second jewel in the Triple Crown. A full field of 14 three-year-olds contested this 1 3/16 mile trip around two turns at historic Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, on a sunny Saturday afternoon with temperatures in the low 80's before an on-track crowd of 107,398.
As expected, Kentucky Derby and Spiral Stakes (G3) winner Animal Kingdom was sent off as the lukewarm 2-1 favorite, as the only horse with a chance at being the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978. In to challenge him included 9-2 second choice and Florida Derby (G1) winner Dialed In, off a disappointing 8th place finish in the Derby and eligible for a $5.5 million bonus should he complete the Florida Derby-Preakness double. Completing the top three on the board was 5-1 Mucho Macho Man, off two straight 3rd place finishes in the Louisiana Derby (G2) and the Kentucky Derby.
Down the stretch with Shackleford out front, Animal Kingdom on the outside, and Astrology on the rail.
Jockey Cornelio Velasquez sent 16-1 Flashpoint to the lead first time past the stands, and he set fractions of 22.69, 46.87, and 1:12.01 while being pressed by 13-1 Shackleford to his outside. At the top of the lane, Flashpoint tired badly and faded to finish last, allowing Shackleford to inherit the lead through a mile in 1:37.22. 15-1 Astrology mounded a challenge in mid-stretch to get within a length of Shackleford but he could not sustain his rally inside the 1/16 pole. Favorite Animal Kingdom, well back in the early stages, put in a strong rally late but Shackleford dug in late to hold him off by 1/2 a length for the hard-fought win in a time of 1:56.47 over the fast track. It was another 1 1/4 lengths back to Astrology third.
Pgm Horse Jockey Win Place Show
5 Shackleford Castanon 27.20 10.20 6.80
11 Animal Kingdom Velazquez 4.20 3.60
1 Astrology Smith 8.00
Winning Time: 1:56.47
$2 Exacta 5-11 114.80
$2 Trifecta 5-11-1 1,401.80
$1 Superfecta 5-11-1-10 3,106.30
$2 Super High Five 5-11-1-10-8 49,742.00
$2 BE Susan-Preakness double 120.60
Left: The trophy presentation for the Preakness. Co-owner Bill Cubbedge explained that the horse was named after "Charles Shackleford, the point shaver. Yeah, that is the story. Mike (Lauffer, co-owner) and I like to spend a lot of time on an island in North Carolina called Shackleford Island, and they have wild horses there. It's a good story. We came out this morning and took care of the horses and made sure everything was okay and went to breakfast. We just started to talk about the old days of living at Ellis Park and some of the (claiming) horses. We never thought we could get these kinds of horses. It wasn't even a dream. We just wanted to make a living in the horse business in some way, and it's been phenomenal."
Right: Shackleford heads back to the barn after the race.
Left: Shackleford in the walk over from the barn before the race. His trainer Dale Romans said, "It's a huge effort. From the time that the horse was born on the farm, the people who foaled him, to the training center, and they brought him to my stable, and all the grooms and exercise riders, and Faustino, and the exercise boys that had him in Florida. He's a super horse. He had a heck of a campaign last year. He never missed a beat. In today's race, that was very rewarding for him off a 6-month layoff for him to come back and run like he did. The turf course was a little soft, but anybody that was out there could tell it was beat up pretty good, and pretty soft. He handled it really well and ran a huge race for the first time off the layoff."
Right: Shackleford in the post parade.
Left: Shackleford runs in second as they go by the first time. His jockey Jesus Castanon said, "It's amazing. He was a little hot in the beginning before in the post parade, but he was able to calm down. He's a good horse and able to handle it. A horse like this can go any kind of speed. I felt somebody coming at the 1/16 pole, I knew that Animal Kingdom was the only horse who was able to come get me."
Right: Shackleford parades for the fans after the Preakness.
Left: Second place finisher and beaten favorite Animal Kingdom in the post parade. His trainer Graham Motion said, It's tough to come that close, but he ran a huge race. I kind of thought for an instant that he might get there, but I wasn't sure. They ran quick early. That was fine. I think they just slowed it down in the middle of the race and that really helped (Shackleford). I'm thrilled with how (Animal Kingdom) ran. Johnny said it was just a different scenario today because he was that far back that he got a lot of dirt in his face and kind of struggled with it a little bit. I can't believe what Johnny weaved through the last 3/8 of a mile but he was coming. I cannot believe to get that close; I'm not sure what is better, if we were that close or to be beaten further."
Right: Third place finisher Astrology in the post parade. His trainer Steve Asmussen said, "He ran a good race. Hats off to the winner. He entered into the 3-year-old picture a little late this year. Of course, we hoped to win but he competed well and ended up third. He's been playing catch-up all year, and today was a measure of that. We'll evaluate and go from here." Jockey Mike Smith added, "He ran dynamite. He ran great today. I wish I had a better post. I tried to let him stretch his legs a little because he has such a big stride. He ran a great race for me today."
Triple Crown quick links:
Oxbow upsets in the Preakness - Oxbow led the entire way in the Preakness Stakes (G1) on Saturday at Pimlico with Itsmyluckyday second and Mylute third. Heavy favorite Orb made a mild move to finish fourth. Get the results, charts, and photos here.
Preakness undercard stakes results - There were 7 other stakes on the card, highlighted by the Dixie Stakes (G2) won by Skyring and the Allaire DuPont Distaff Stakes (G3) won by Summer Applause. Get the results, charts, and photos for 6 of the races here.
Fiftyshadesofhay wins the Black-Eyed Susan - Fiftyshadesofhay just got up to win the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2) on Friday at Pimlico by a neck over Marathon Lady with favorite Emollient 6th. On the undercard, Last Gunfighter won the Pimlico Special (G3). Get the results, charts, and photos here.
Analyzing the Preakness Stakes Contenders for 2013 - My annual analysis using popular angles and statistical trends to see who best matches the profile of a Preakness winner. The big surprise is that Kentucky Derby winner Orb is not in the top group!
Orb wins the Kentucky Derby - Orb was far back early but took the lead in the stretch and drew off to win the Kentucky Derby (G1) by 2 1/2 lengths over longshot Golden Soul and Revolutionary. Get the results, charts, and photos here.
More Kentucky Derby Photos - More photos from the day including more of Orb, the trophy, the roses, Martina McBride, and lots of mud.
Kentucky Derby undercard stakes results - There were 5 other stakes on Derby day including the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic (G1) won by 2012 Horse of the Year Wise Dan and the Humana Distaff Stakes (G1) won by Aubby K. Get the results, charts, and photos for all 5 races here.
Princess of Sylmar upsets in the Kentucky Oaks - She rallied from far back to win the Kentucky Oaks by a half length over Beholder and Unlimited Budget, while favorite Dreaming of Julia was fourth. Get the results, chart, and photos here.
Kentucky Oaks undercard stakes results - There were 5 other stakes on Oaks day including the La Troienne Stakes (G2) won by Authenticity and the Alysheba Stakes (G3) won by Take Charge Indy. Get the results, charts, and photos for all 5 races here.
Wednesday Kentucky Derby Workout Photos - Photos and comments for 18 Derby horses, everyone on the grounds except the one in quarantine, and 6 Oaks fillies from this morning on the track.
Kentucky Oaks Entries - A field of 11 fillies will go, with Gulfstream Oaks winner Dreaming of Julia favorite at 3-1 from post 8. Get the post positions, odds, and free past performances here.
Top Kentucky Derby Contenders - my list of the top horses headed to the Derby with profiles for each with photos, stats, and link to more info like past performances and pedigree.
Analyzing the top 2013 Kentucky Derby contenders - My annual analysis of the top contenders to try and select a winner by matching each to the profile of a Kentucky Derby winner using many of the more popular angles and statistical trends. This year there were is a 3-way tie for the top spot: Goldencents, Normandy Invasion, and Overanalyze.
2013 Kentucky Derby And Oaks Security - New enhanced stricter rules will be enforced this year. Be sure to read the rules as many have changed and more things are banned. There will still be magnetic wand searches of all patrons and many things are no longer allowed. Check here to make sure you don't bring anything they will confiscate.
Review: Triple Crown Handicapper 2013 - by Jim Mazur. Includes lots of stats for all 3 races and explains how to use a system of statistically derived negative angles to eliminate the "bad" picks.
Review: Kentucky Derby Greatest Moments - Commemorative DVD from Churchill Downs with video from 27 different runnings along with interviews, photos, and historical info. Definitely recommended for any racing fan!
Review: Churchill Downs - America's Most Historic Racetrack by Kimberly Gatto. An entertaining and informative account of the history of the track and it's most famous race, the Kentucky Derby, with lots of photos. Definitely recommended.
Left: The trophy presentation for the Preakness. Co-owner Bill Cubbedge explained that the horse was named after "Charles Shackleford, the point shaver. Yeah, that is the story. Mike (Lauffer, co-owner) and I like to spend a lot of time on an island in North Carolina called Shackleford Island, and they have wild horses there. It's a good story. We came out this morning and took care of the horses and made sure everything was okay and went to breakfast. We just started to talk about the old days of living at Ellis Park and some of the (claiming) horses. We never thought we could get these kinds of horses. It wasn't even a dream. We just wanted to make a living in the horse business in some way, and it's been phenomenal."
Left: Shackleford in the walk over from the barn before the race. His trainer Dale Romans said, "It's a huge effort. From the time that the horse was born on the farm, the people who foaled him, to the training center, and they brought him to my stable, and all the grooms and exercise riders, and Faustino, and the exercise boys that had him in Florida. He's a super horse. He had a heck of a campaign last year. He never missed a beat. In today's race, that was very rewarding for him off a 6-month layoff for him to come back and run like he did. The turf course was a little soft, but anybody that was out there could tell it was beat up pretty good, and pretty soft. He handled it really well and ran a huge race for the first time off the layoff."
Left: Shackleford runs in second as they go by the first time. His jockey Jesus Castanon said, "It's amazing. He was a little hot in the beginning before in the post parade, but he was able to calm down. He's a good horse and able to handle it. A horse like this can go any kind of speed. I felt somebody coming at the 1/16 pole, I knew that Animal Kingdom was the only horse who was able to come get me."
Left: Second place finisher and beaten favorite Animal Kingdom in the post parade. His trainer Graham Motion said, It's tough to come that close, but he ran a huge race. I kind of thought for an instant that he might get there, but I wasn't sure. They ran quick early. That was fine. I think they just slowed it down in the middle of the race and that really helped (Shackleford). I'm thrilled with how (Animal Kingdom) ran. Johnny said it was just a different scenario today because he was that far back that he got a lot of dirt in his face and kind of struggled with it a little bit. I can't believe what Johnny weaved through the last 3/8 of a mile but he was coming. I cannot believe to get that close; I'm not sure what is better, if we were that close or to be beaten further."
