Belmont Stakes Rivalry: Animal Kingdom Versus Shackleford

by Bodog Racebook | Jun 6 2011

Animal Kingdom – winner of the 2011 Kentucky Derby – and Shackleford – winner of the 2011 Preakness Stakes – have taken very different paths to the Triple Crown. Animal Kingdom gained most of his racing experience on either synthetic tracks and turf, while Shackleford ran four of his five preceding races on dirt. As the third and final leg of the Triple Crown approaches, Bodog takes a look at which of these two rivals has the edge in the Belmont Stakes.

Both Animal Kingdom and Shackleford have completely different running styles. Animal Kingdom, trained by Graham Motion, is better known as a closer – that is, he is able to stay reserved until the late going and then run down the competition. He used that strong closing kick to earn his trip to the Run for the Roses, winning the Gr. 3 Spiral Stakes at Turfway Park March 26. The Leroidesanimaux colt used the same tactic to win the Kentucky Derby: racing mid-pack till the final furlong and then powering past the leaders, including Shackleford, in the stretch drive.

Shackleford, on the other hand, is quick out of the gate and likes to set the pace – or race just off it. Trained by Dale Romans, Shackleford won an allowance race earlier this year with a close stalking trip at Gulfstream Park. And he was a standout in the Kentucky Derby, nearly stealing the race with a front-running effort (though he eventually faded to fourth). The shorter 1 3/16 mile distance of the Preakness Stakes benefited this son of Forestry, allowing him to use his impressive speed to stay with the even-faster Flashpoint and then fend off all challengers – including Animal Kingdom – late in the race.

Which horse will have an edge at Belmont Park? It may seem counterintuitive, but explosive closers often find themselves in the stretch of the 1 ½ mile Belmont Stakes with too much distance left to run. With his early speed – and his surprising ability to sustain it – Shackleford may be able to build up a lead that cannot be overcome.

For the Belmont Stakes, Animal Kingdom and Shackleford will retain their riders from the previous two races: John Velazquez and Jesus Castanon, respectively. While Velazquez and Animal Kingdom have only been together for two races, they have managed to collaborate for an impressive $1.6M in earnings for owners Team Valor International. On the other hand, Castanon has been aboard Shackleford for all but two of his races and has piloted his mount to a Preakness Stakes victory and a Kentucky Derby fourth-place finish. Velazquez has the edge in experience over Castanon; he also won the Belmont Stakes in 2007.

Will Animal Kingdom or Shackleford win the 2011 Belmont Stakes? Bet on horse racing with the Bodog Racebook!