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Dale Romans’s strong arsenal of stakes stars will be represented here Sunday by Shackleford, who has been supplemented into the Grade 1 Alfred Vanderbilt Handicap. The six-furlong stakes drew a field of eight that also includes Emcee, Justin Phillip, Rothko, Poseidon’s Warrior, Sloane Ranger, Jersey Town, and Hamazing Destiny.
[Complete coverage of racing at Saratoga: News, PPs, and video]
Romans said Thursday he was not too concerned about the upcoming post position draw later that afternoon for the Vanderbilt other than he would “just as soon not have the 1 hole.”
Sure enough, Shackleford drew the rail for the six-furlong Vanderbilt. Shackleford was scheduled to arrive at Saratoga from Churchill Downs on Thursday.
“I’ll watch him train the next couple of days, and if he does good we’ll run,” said Romans. “I think his sprint race at Churchill Downs this spring was one of his best. It was seven furlongs and they ran a fast three-quarters in there too. If he runs like he’s supposed to on Sunday, we’ll go to the Forego.” Shackleford outgamed the reigning Sprint champion Amazombie to capture the Grade 2 Churchill Downs Sprint as a prelude to his even more courageous nose decision over Caleb’s Posse in the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park on May 28.
He is a BEAST!! Even though he has never gone 6 panels in his career he has led through 6F in his last two starts in 1:08.2 and 1:08 flat and held off two legitimate closers in the recently retired Caleb's Posse and Amazombie. I know both tracks were fast those days but that is still racehorse times even as fractions.I wouldn't put it past him to win this one.
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i think he will win it
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Best Bets
NOTION missed the break before closing for third and then galloped out in front in his six-furlong debut. The expensive son of Notional is bred to go long on both sides of his pedigree, and his trainer does okay with stretchouts. CREATIVE THUNDER wound up on the edges in both of his seven-furlong outings in the fall. The 4yo by top sire Tapit is bred for middle distances, and should be a factor with the addition of Lasix. KAIGUN wasn't beaten all that far after an awkward break and a wide journey in his seven-furlong opener at Keeneland.
