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SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Shackleford has run 16 times at seven different distances, but has never run at six furlongs.
That will change Sunday, when the dual Grade 1-winning Shackleford will run in the Grade 1, $400,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap at Saratoga at six furlongs.
Shackleford, not an original nominee to the Vanderbilt, had to be supplemented to the race by Monday for $8,000. Weights for the race were scheduled to be released later Monday afternoon.
Trainer Dale Romans and owners Michael Lauffer, William Cubbedge, and John Phillips decided to use the Vanderbilt to prepare for the Grade 1 Forego here Sept. 1. The Forego is run at seven furlongs, a distance at which Shackleford has won at twice, including the Churchill Downs on May 5 where he defeated defending sprint champion Amazombie, who won Sunday’s Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes at Del Mar.
“Looking at the big picture, I’m working him anyway, might as well get a race into him going into the Forego and for the rest of the fall,” Romans said. “He likes to run.”
Shackleford won the Preakness at 1 3/16 miles and has twice won at the one-mile distance, including the Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont on May 28, his last start.
Asked if he felt Shackleford could be effective going six furlongs, Romans said, “I think he’s fast enough for it.”
[Complete coverage of racing at Saratoga: News, PPs, and video]
Romans said it took Shackleford longer than usual to rebound from his victory in the Met Mile. Romans decided to keep the horse running in shorter-distanced races for the foreseeable future.
Shackleford has been training at Churchill Downs, where on Saturday he went a half-mile in 48.20 seconds over the main track.
Shackleford will be flown from Kentucky to New York on Thursday.
Others expected for the Vanderbilt are Emcee, Hamazing Destiny, Jersey Town, Justin Phillip, and Rothko.
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Just love Shackleford! He is the hardest working horse out there! What a specimen! Love watching him race, I think this will be a good distance for him since he likes the lead and with Johnny V aboard, he wil be unstoppable.
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Love watching Shackleford run!! Back to one turn and wire-to-wire would be the only finish I could see for shack. Now the only questions is, can we can get him better than even money?
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So far the best race of the year was the Met Mile between Shack and Caleeb's Posse. Unfortunately this was their last dance. Both are real good horses that give everything they have in the tank.
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at 6 furlongs he will likely need to be able to come off the pace and pass horses late. I am a fan of this hard trying animal and he could be a low # in this race and be put in a situation - either he runs faster early than normal and has to keep going or he relaxes and comes in the lane. the value may welll lie elsewhere.
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Shackleford Vs The Factor
WOW!!!!!!!
Shackleford shackleford S H A C K L E F O R D !!!!!!!
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Shackleford is THE BEST RACEHORSE running right now. Nobody wants to face a horse that has his guts. Speed that lasts and courage=RACEHORSE!!
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Shackleford and Justin Phillip exacta box.
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The way dales barn has been going up here shack be lucky to hit the board
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Hey Ray Sousa - I agree with you 100%. Your are absolutely right. Also, OJ is completely innocent!
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Go Shack show them how to do it!
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Best Bets
LORD CHELSIE has been away since February but he has speed and the rail, and given the general lack of pace in this opener he should be able to take advantage of this pace advantage, as long as he breaks alertly and outruns OMINOUS THOMAS for the lead; past success over this strip adds to the appeal. OMINOUS THOMAS failed to make the lead in a shorter race that was loaded with speed last time; back at six furlongs today, and this is a much better race flow for him.
