Breeders to get look at Shackleford

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Lexington, KY (Sports Network) - Retirement may not have yet begun for 2011 Preakness Stakes champ Shackleford, but potential breeders will have the opportunity this weekend to check out the 4-year-old colt.

Owned by Michael Lauffer, Bill Cubbedge and Phillips Racing Partnership, Shackleford will be available to be viewed by breeders at Darby Dan Farm Friday through Sunday. Although an official retirement announcement has not been made, plans remain for him to stand at Darby Dan in 2013.

"We wanted to give breeders the opportunity to see him," said Robert Hammond, General Manager of Darby Dan. "Ever since his Met Mile win, the interest has been gratifying, and we anticipate a strong initial book of mares from accomplished breeders."

Trained by Dale Romans, Shackleford posted five wins in 19 career starts for $2,824,047 with five seconds and a third. After winning two of three races in 2010, the colt hit the Triple Crown trail and registered a fifth in the Fountain of Youth and was runner-up to Dialed In in the Florida Derby.

Ridden by Jesus Castanon, Shackleford was fourth in the Kentucky Derby as a 23-1 longshot behind Animal Kingdom. He shocked most people to win the Preakness at 12-1 over 2-1 favorite Animal Kingdom. Three weeks later Shackleford could do no better than sixth in the Belmont Stakes with Animal Kingdom right behind in seventh.

He closed out his 2011 campaign with second-place finishes in the Haskell, Indiana Derby and Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile, with just an eighth-place result in the Travers.

As a 4-year-old, Shackleford had wins in the Churchill Downs Stakes and Met Mile. In probably his final career start he finished seventh in his second Dirt Mile as the 5-2 co-favorite.