Shackleford: Ready To Invade The Hoosier State

The Preakness winner is coming off of a disappointing performance in the Travers Stakes at Saratoga. Shack left us scratching our heads with his dreadful run, but one must realize the Saratoga surface is one a horse either relishes or despises. Obviously Shackleford belongs in the latter category.

Any doubts about this son of Forestry’s health, or soundness, should be put to rest by his last two workouts, in which he fired bullets. The first came on September 17, a five furlong work in 1:01.20. It was the best work of 24 at the distance that day at Churchill Downs. Shack’s most recent work, on Saturday, was another eye-popper, this time over a sloppy surface at Churchill. He went five furlongs in 59.80, the best work from 18 at the distance.

Shackleford should love the speed favoring track at Hoosier Park, and the 8.5 furlong distance of the Indiana Derby will be right in his wheel house. He’ll be looking to hit a home-run, but he won’t be facing Triple A competition. The Indiana Derby will be full of big leaguers, and Shack will have to be on his A game in order to get the job done.

Among the prime contenders is Caleb's Posse, who has been nothing short of spectacular in his last two starts. Caleb has been, what one could call, “a one man posse.” He dazzled in the grade II Amsterdam, crushing his competition by 4 lengths. That day, he met a strong field which included To Honor and Serve - who, in his own right, just dominated a classy field in the grade II Pennsylvania Derby on Saturday. The Donnie Von Hemel-trainee followed this performance up with a heart stopping triumph in the grade I Kings Bishop Stakes, beating Two Year Old Champion Uncle Mo by a nose. Caleb will be stretching back out to a route distance, but he has proven he can go long, with his win in the grade III Ohio Derby.

Romans and Shackleford will also have to deal with the combo of Bob Baffert and Prayer for Relief. Baffert is looking for his 3^rd straight win in the Indiana Derby, and Prayer for Relief is looking for his 4^th straight Derby victory. Prayer for Relief is coming off an ultra-impressive, 2 ½ length victory in the grade II Super Derby at Louisiana Downs.  This “holy colt” also boasts wins in the grade III Iowa Derby, and the grade II West Virginia Derby.

Romans will be looking for a dominant performance to set Shackleford up for either the Breeders’ Cup Classic, or the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.  Shack has proven his class and his heart, the only question is the 10 furlong distance. The Indiana Derby will be the perfect spot to condition Shack. He will get a class test, with a fellow grade I winner and a multiple grade II winner, as his main foes.