Shackleford Sets Sights on Carter

Preakness winner Shackleford will be among the star studded cast of horses lining up for the Grade 1, $400,000 Carter on Wood Memorial Day at Aqueduct Racetrack, Saturday, April 7.

Trainer Dale Romans identified two main factors that went into the decision to run the 4-year-old Forestry colt in the prestigious seven-furlong race.

“He has already proven that he can run well going one turn,” said Romans. “This is also a great spot to prep for the Met Mile (Grade 1, $750,000, May 28, Belmont Park).”

The Carter will be Shackleford’s second start of the year, following a seventh-place finish in the Grade 1 Donn Handicap on February 11 at Gulfstream Park.

“He has run subpar before and has always come back to redeem himself,” Romans said of the Michael Lauffer and Bill Cubbedge-owned speedster. “We’re looking for a big effort [in the Carter].”

Shackleford closed out his ambitious 2011 campaign with a second-place finish in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Churchill Downs. He hasn’t run in a seven-furlong race since breaking his maiden at Churchill Downs on November 27, 2010.

The Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner, Caleb’s Posse, is also expected among the entrants in the Carter after suffering a neck defeat in his 2012 debut, the Grade 3 Tom Fool Handicap at Aqueduct on March 3.

Multiple graded stakes winner Calibrachoa, who won the Tom Fool with racing’s top Beyer Speed Figure this year, a 111, is also likely for the Carter, along with Emcee and Capt. Candyman Can, the Tom Fool’s third- and fourth-place finishers, respectively.

In addition to the Carter, Aqueduct’s April 7 card features the Grade 1, $1 million Resorts World Casino New York City Wood Memorial, highlighted by 2011 Eclipse champion and Gotham winner Hansen; the Grade 3, $250,000 Comely for 3-year-old fillies, and the Grade 2, $250,000 Bay Shore, for 3-year-old sprinters.