The Breeders’ Cup World Championships is widely known as an
event to crown champions. Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile
morning line favorite Shackleford is looking for another “Crowning Moment.”
Shack is no stranger to the winner’s circle with 5 wins in
18 starts and career earnings of nearly 3 million dollars. His first crowning
moment came in the 2011 Preakness. He pressed the pace in the second leg of the
triple crown before making the lead at the top of the stretch, the gutsy
chestnut never relenquished it not even when
2011 Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom came running.
The Dale Romans charge is coming into the Breeders’ Cup off
two losses but that won’t discourage this son of Forestry. Before the G2 Kelso Handicap fellow Horse
Racing Nation blogger Matt Shifman noted that Shackleford was acting a little out
of character and didn’t quite make the same imposing “Shackleford” like appearance
in the paddock.
In the Kelso, Shack sprinted to the lead while being chased
and pressured by Trickmeister, the early fractions were honest but weren’t
anything quicker than Shackleford has run before. Jersey Town sat a dream trip
in fourth, as they reached the top of the stretch it was evident that Castellano
had more engine under him with Jersey Town than Dominguez had with
Shackleford. Jersey Town drew off to a 3
½ length victory while Shackleford fought on to run 2nd finishing
nearly a length ahead of Trickmeister.
The Vanderbilt was Shackleford’s worst performance this year
but the race was a complete throw out. The Saratoga dirt surface has proven to
be the kryptonite to this super hero. If you go back to the Met Mile you will
see the real Shack. He gave us one of the best performances of the year and of
his career in the Met. Shackleford led the field through a sub 22 quarter and a sub 45 half and still held off last year’s Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner Caleb’s Posse by a nose. He earned the 3rd highest beyer speed figure (115) of the year. Shack Attack’s performance in the G2 Churchill
Downs Handicap was as equally impressive especially when you consider he out
battled 2011 eclipse award winning sprinter and Breeders’ Cup Sprint victor
Amazombie.
Last year’s Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile runner up will need to
show the stamina he showed in the Preakness to find himself in the winner’s circle
Saturday, but I think he’s sitting on a huge race. He will have to deal with some strong
competition.
Emcee is making his first start at a distance further than 7
furlongs. He has the speed to go with Shackleford but I see him sitting a few
lengths off the pace and I don’t see him having the guts to run down
Shackleford late. Fed Biz is another horse that has flashed good early speed
and looks to be a need the lead type but he will have to show a lot more speed than
he has in the past to keep up with Shackleford. Rail Trip has yet to win on regular dirt and has
only won once in 2 years. Jersey Town ran a monster race to beat Shack in the
Kelso but he’s yet to put back to back big wins.
Shackleford is a horse with Star power. He has the muscle of
a hall of fame boxer, the face of a model, and the heart of a
Champion. Shack’s popularity has
exploded over the past two years with thousands of adoring fans that travel all
over the country to watch their beloved colt race. Trainer Dale Romans has made
Shack more than accessible allowing his fans a closer look at their favorite
horse, which is something this sport needs desperately.
Romans and “Shackleford Nation” are hoping that the Breeders’
Cup Dirt Mile will be another one of those “Crowning Moments” for their well
deserving colt. Whether you bet Shack on Saturday, toss him, hate him, or love him,
you have to respect him for his courage and talent.