Shackleford claimed the second leg of the USA Triple Crown with an on-pace victory in the G1 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico on Saturday.

Shackleford (3c Forestry – Oatsee by Unbridled) had enough in reserve to defeat fast-finishing Kentucky Derby hero Animal Kingdom (Leroidesanimaux) by a half length.  Third home, another length away, was Astrology (A.P. Indy).

The winner looked anything but cool, calm and collected while being saddled up by trainer Dale Romans.  He sweated up and behaved badly but was totally focused once the field was dispatched for Preakness 136.

Shackleford sat outside Flashpoint (Pomeroy) until the quick sectionals took its toll on the leader rounding the home turn.  Regular rider Jesus Castanon slipped Shackleford some rein and the chestnut accelerated to a winning lead.

The Preakness winner is raced by owner-breeders Mike Lauffer and Bill Cubbedge after being passed-in for $275,000 at the 2009 Keeneland September yearling sale.

Shackleford broke his maiden at Churchill Downs late last year and he resumed with an allowance win at Gulfstream Park in February.  He was beaten a head by Dialed In in the G1 Florida Derby and was a front-running fourth in the Kentucky Derby.

His sire Forestry (Storm Cat) stands for a $12,500 fee at Taylor Made Stallions in Kentucky.  He was a G1 winner of the King’s Bishop Stakes and G2 Dwyer Stakes in 1999.  His record at stud includes 350 winners at a 68% strike rate.

Forestry sired his first Australian winner when Al Aseel scored at Hawkesbury earlier this season.  He is raced by Emirates Park and has been nominated to return from a spell at either Canterbury or Gosford this week.

Shackleford is a half-brother to G1 Alabama Stakes winner Lady Joanne (Orientate) and G3 winner Baghdaria (Royal Academy).  She has a 2yo colt by A.P. Indy and a yearling colt by Johannesburg.