Shackleford and Nehro prepare for Belmont Stakes
The top four candidates for the Belmont Stakes are Animal Kingdom, Shackleford, Nehro, and, Toby’s Corner.
They are all gearing up for the one million dollar Belmont Stakes.
Shackleford, the winner of the most recent classic race, despite having his participation in doubt, has arrived in New York for the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes. He made a fifteen hour journey by road from Churchill Downs to the Belmont site. He arrived on Monday
30, 2011 at 10 a.m.
Romans arrived in New York on Tuesday May 31, 2011 to see how the colt is performing.
The chestnut colt, is conditioned by Dale Romans, for owners Michael Lauffer, and W.D. Cubbedge. Romans arrived in New York on Tuesday May 31, 2011 to see how the colt is performing.
The son of Forestry, Shackleford, earlier stayed in Churchill Downs while his trainer, Romans was attending the Fasig-Tipton Mid Atlantic sale. The three-year old was scheduled to practise at his trainer’s barn on May 31, 2011.
Scotty Everett, who is assistant to Romans, commented on the colt’s form “He looks good, we are excited to have him here at Belmont”.
Romans earlier had reservations regarding the racing of the horse for fears that if Shackleford is made to race more than his physical form allows him to do so then he may tire and not perform to the best of his abilities.
If Shackleford races in the final leg of the Triple Crown it would mean that the Belmont Stakes is jam packed for a clash of the titans. Animal Kingdom, winner of the Kentucky Derby, would have a frictional duel with the Preakness winner, Shackleford.
Considering how vital the race is, Dale Romans never the less made Shackleford workout. He decided that he will work under retired jockey, Mark Guidry.
Shackleford was foaled in Kentucky by the unbridled mare Oatsee. If Shackleford does participate in the 143rd running of the Belmont Stakes, Jose Castanon will take his mount.
Apart from Shackleford, Nehro, the Steve Asmussen trained colt, is a serious candidate for the Belmont Stakes. He was runner up to Animal Kingdom in the Kentucky Derby.
Nehro’s father, Mineshaft, made an exceptional start on turf and broke his maiden on turf in England. When Mineshaft arrived in USA, he thrived on American soil as well, he was made horse of the year in 2003. Who knows how his son is to perform on the dirt
surface of the Belmont Stakes?
Nehro practised for the June 11 event by breezing at Churchill Downs. He completed six furlongs in a time of 1 minute and 12.20 seconds. His trainer was quoted saying that he is pleased with the colt’s performance in both of his starts in 2011. He was second
in both of them, they include the Louisiana Derby held on March 26, 2011 and the Arkansas Derby held on April 16, 2011.
The Belmont Stakes is not only the final leg of the Triple Crown, it is also the oldest. It is run over a distance of 1 ½ miles.
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