The rubber match is on with Preakness winner Shackleford confirmed to take on Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom in Saturday’s Belmont Stakes.
Shackleford passed his final test on Saturday morning with a sharp five-furlong (1000m) workout at Belmont Park.
“As long as he comes out of the work good he will run,” trainer Dale Romans said after talking it over with the colt’s owner, Michael Lauffer.
“I am excited he’s doing so well and coming into the race the right way. I think he’s going to be very competitive.”
It will be the first time the Derby and Preakness winners have met in the Belmont since 2005 when Preakness winner Afleet Alex beat Derby winner Giacomo, and the 22nd time in the history of the Triple Crown races.
Shackleford, with exercise rider Tammy Fox aboard, covered the five furlongs in 1:00.30 on a warm, overcast day.
“I wanted to see him work his normal work, and he did,” Romans said.
“I thought he went around there really well and it looked like he did everything the way he was supposed to.”
Shackleford had the lead in the straight in the Derby before finishing fourth; Animal Kingdom came close in the Preakness, finishing a half-length behind in second place.
Entries and barrier positions for the 1-1/2 mile (2400m) Belmont will be declared on Wednesday.
AP AAP TURF
