Shackleford leaning towards the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile rather than the Classic
Trainer Dale Romans is optimistic that his Preakness Stakes winner 3-year-old colt will do well over at 1 ¼ miles, and owners W. D. Cubbedge and Michael Lauffer are inclined towards the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile rather than the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
On the morning of 12 October, Romans added that they are leaning towards the Dirt Mile and thinks that is the right way approach the Breeders’ Cup for the 3-year-old.
However, the Breeders’ Cup Classic hasn’t been completely ruled out, but said that he will be facing with a different type of lot with the likes of Game on Dude, Uncle Mo and Tizway who possess a lot of early speed, as oppose to Shackleford who is more of a front running type.
The Classic brings immense speed and that might not suit Shackleford and it is going to be a tough race as well, but the Dirt Mile seems to be the spot for the son of Forestry.
Out of Oatsee by Unbridled, Shackleford has shown that he can run well and run long, participating in nine starts with eight of them graded stakes, Shackleford has proved his durability, including the all three legs of the Triple Crown.
Shackleford started off with the Kentucky Derby where he finished fourth, but came back strong in the Preakness Stakes where he was sent as the 12 to 1 long shot but proved that betting odds are not more than guessing games.
Fifth in the Belmont Stakes, Shackleford went to Monmouth Park to run in the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational, where he led for most parts of the race but couldn’t stop the late running Coil, who showed an amazing turn of foot.
Travers Stakes was next in line and Shackleford and he finished a disappointing eighth in that race, but bounced back in the Grade 2 Indiana Derby, where he finished second behind the up-coming Wilburn.
Since the Indiana Derby, Shackleford has been at Winstar Farm, while remaining in light training and laying low before the big race.
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