Shackleford Defies Caleb's Posse in the Met Mile

In what many will consider the race of the year, Shackleford blazed to victory in the (Grade 1) Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park.

The 2011 Preakness champion rocketed out of the gate to an early lead. After setting lightning fractions of 22.77 and 44.73, he glided into the stretch on an easy lead. But then came Caleb's Posse, surging heroically from last to second. A dramatic stretch duel unfolded. The bay colt fought for track, gaining with every stride. Shackleford yielded nothing; with all the mental toughness characterized by the thoroughbred breed, the chestnut 4 year old hung on by a single, vicious nose bob. The mile was covered in 1:33.30.

Not only did Shackleford display astounding drive and will to win -- in the process, he defeated one of the toughest fields the Met Mile has seen in many years. The runner-up, Caleb's Posse, had been victorious over Shackleford in the 2011 Breeder's Cup Dirt Mile. In third was To Honor and Serve, winner of the Cigar Mile and Westchester Stakes. Fourth was long shot Caixa Eletronica, winner of the million-dollar Charles Town Classic, fifth was Jackson Bend, victorious in the Grade 1 Carter Handicap, and in sixth was Saginaw, emerging from 5 straight wins, three times in stakes company.

What next for the brilliant Shackleford? Although trainer Dale Romans says he's not been thinking past the Metropolitan, you can thank the "win and you're in" program, of which the Met Mile was the first of 2012, that Shackleford has a guaranteed spot in the Breeder's Cup Dirt Mile at Santa Anita, in November.

"It was the race of the year, and it's exciting to have been part of it, win, lose, or draw, with all those good horses," Remarked a victorious Dale Romans, "And it lived up to its billing. To be a nose apart at the wire, I think it lived up to the hype."

Shackleford (blue and white silks) hangs on to capture the Met Mile.