2/6/11
Last updated: 2/5/11 9:58 PM
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Shackleford is a half-brother to 2007 Alabama winner Lady Joanne
(Adam Coglianese Photo) |
Michael Lauffer and W.D. Cubbedge’s homebred SHACKLEFORD (Forestry) raised
his profile among the Florida-based three-year-old set by driving to a 2
1/4-length victory over troubled even-money favorite Casper’s Touch (Touch Gold)
at Gulfstream Park on Saturday. Carded as the
3RD race, the entry-level allowance was contested over the same track and 1
1/8-mile distance as the February 26 Fountain of Youth S. (G2) and the April 3
Florida Derby (G1).
The Dale Romans-trained Shackleford, who was last seen breaking his maiden in
a seven-furlong test at Churchill Downs on November 27, was sent off as the
co-third choice here at odds of 9-2 in his two-turn debut, and his first try
against winners. With new rider Jesus Castanon aboard, the chestnut colt
prompted the pace established by El Grayling (El Prado [Ire]) through splits of
:24 1/5, :48 1/5 and 1:12 1/5. Shadow Warrior (A.P. Indy) tracked in third, and
Casper’s Touch was rank in fourth.
Shackleford launched his bid on the far turn, and despite racing greenly on
his left lead, forged clear in midstretch. Casper’s Touch, however, was not as
fortunate along the inside. Bumped and shut off by a ducking-in Shadow Warrior,
Casper’s Touch had to take up sharply, losing valuable ground and momentum. Yet
Casper’s Touch regrouped, altered course, and rallied well late.
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Meanwhile, Shackleford was still firmly in command under tender handling by
Castanon, crossing the wire in a final time of 1:50 on the fast track and paying
$11.20, $4.80 and $3. Casper’s Touch caught El Grayling by a nose for second,
and Shadow Warrior checked in another length back in fourth. The remaining two
runners in the six-horse field finished well strung out.
Shackleford’s record now reads 3-2-0-0, $59,666. His only loss came in his
debut over Keeneland’s Polytrack on October 16, where he chased the pace four
wide early before retreating to ninth. Shackleford argued the pace to better
effect next time at Churchill Downs, coming again when headed to inch away by
three-quarters of a length. Following his Gulfstream allowance score, he is now
two-for-two on dirt.
The Kentucky-bred is out of the stakes-placed Unbridled mare Oatsee, making
him a half-brother to Lady Joanne (Orientate), the winner of the 2007 Alabama S.
(G1), and to multiple Grade 3 heroine Baghdaria (Royal Academy). Shackleford’s
fourth dam is Taminette (In Reality), a full sister to Two Thousand Guineas
(Eng-G1) winner and successful sire Known Fact, and a three-quarter sister to
multiple Grade 1 star Tentam (Intentionally). Taminette produced multiple Grade
1-winning millionaire Tappiano (Fappiano), and other notables in the family
include Grade 1 victor and influential stallion Gone West (Mr. Prospector).
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Cal Nation is a half-brother to Bluegrass Cat from the immediate family of Super Saver
(Joe Ganley/EquiSport Photos) |
Five races later in the
8TH,
trainer Todd Pletcher unveiled WinStar Farm’s homebred CAL NATION (Distorted
Humor), who promptly lived up to his regal bloodlines with a smashing 7
3/4-length romp in his career debut. After breaking like a shot from the far
outside in post 9, the 6-5 favorite conceded the early lead to 40-1 longshot
Jack London (Tale of the Cat) and settled into a clear second.
Jack London sprinted away and got the initial quarter in :22 1/5, but by the
time he reached the half in :45, Cal Nation was on the march. Ranging up to the
leader turning for home, Cal Nation put him away in short order and proceeded to
pad his advantage, ultimately finishing seven furlongs in 1:22. Jack London
outperformed his odds by holding second by 1 3/4 lengths.
Cal Nation opened his account with the $23,100 winner’s share of the purse.
The promising sophomore is a half-brother to millionaire and hot young sire
Bluegrass Cat (Storm Cat), hero of the 2006 Haskell Invitational (G1) and
runner-up in that year’s Kentucky Derby (G1), Belmont S. (G1) and Travers S.
(G1). They were both produced by the unraced A.P. Indy mare She’s a Winner, a
full sister to Vosburgh S. (G1) victor Girolamo, Grade 2 queen Daydreaming and
Grade 3 scorer Accelerator.
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She’s a Winner is also a full sister to the winning Super Charger, who is
herself the dam of 2010 Kentucky Derby star Super Saver (Maria’s Mon) and
current unbeaten Derby hopeful Brethren (Distorted Humor), likewise trained by
Pletcher.
