Shackleford tops Indiana Derby

Shackleford wrote his name in the history books by taking the Preakness (Jessie Holmes/EquiSport Photos) Preakness (G1) winner SHACKLEFORD (Forestry) will cut back to 1 1/16 miles in Saturday’s $500,000 Indiana Derby (G2) at Hoosier Park in his final prep for the Breeders’ Cup. Trainer Dale Romans is considering both the Classic (G1) and Dirt Mile (G1), with the latter probably a more realistic goal, and hopes to get his charge back on track following a disappointing eighth in the Travers (G1). Shackleford is certainly eligible to rebound with a victory at the shorter distance, but he’ll have to withstand a couple of surging rivals in CALEB’S POSSE (Posse) and WILBURN (Bernardini). Shackleford is the only three-year-old to emerge unscathed after competing in all three legs of this year’s Triple Crown. A head second in the Florida Derby (G1), the chestnut colt recorded a respectable fourth after setting the pace in the Kentucky Derby (G1). He moved forward off that effort at Pimlico, securing a half-length victory over Derby winner Animal Kingdom (Leroidesanimaux [Brz]), but weakened to fifth when trying 12 furlongs in the Belmont S. (G1). Following a six-week freshening, Shackleford turned in a highly respectable effort in the Haskell Invitational (G1), finishing second by a neck to Coil (Point Given). The 1 1/4-mile Travers proved to be a bitter disappointment for the front runner, as Shackleford threw in the towel before reaching the conclusion of the far turn, and Romans is willing to draw a line through the performance. Jesus Castanon will retain the mount and Shackleford figures to be setting the pace from post 7. There isn’t much speed in the eight-horse Indiana Derby field, with DECISIVE MOMENT (With Distinction) probably the only rival capable of applying early pressure to the favorite.

Caleb’s Posse will enter the Indiana Derby on the upswing for trainer Donnie
Von Hemel, recording back-to-back victories in the Amsterdam S. (G3) and King’s
Bishop (G1) at Saratoga, and he gamely caught two-year-old champion Uncle Mo
(Indian Charlie) by a nose in the latter. Both were sprint wins, but Caleb’s
Posse has plenty of experience around two turns, winning the Ohio Derby (G3) and
finishing second in the Rebel (G2) earlier this season at the 8 1/2-furlong
distance. Robby Albarado picks up the assignment on the dynamic closer.

Wilburn was unplaced in his first two stakes attempts this summer, but the
Steve Asmussen-trained colt will bring a two-race win streak into the Indiana
Derby, posting an allowance tally at Monmouth Park prior to his 1 3/4-length
decision in the September 5 Smarty Jones S. at Parx Racing. The stalker is
three-for-five at the distance and will pick up the services of Julien Leparoux.

Decisive Moment entered the Kentucky Derby off a runner-up effort to Animal
Kingdom in the Spiral S. (G3), but the Juan Arias trainee was no factor
finishing 14th at Churchill Downs and followed it with a sixth-place clunker in
the seven-furlong Red Legend S. at Charles Town. The dark bay colt exits a pair
of respectable efforts at Calder, winning the El Kaiser S. prior to a runner-up
in the off-the-turf Naked Greed S., and the multiple stakes winner should be
forwardly placed with a returning Daniel Centeno in the saddle.

Romans is also responsible for FRIENDS PLACE (Friends Lake), who will run
coupled with stablemate Shackleford. A maiden scorer two starts back at Ellis
Park, the bay colt will make his stakes bow off an allowance win at Hoosier.
Grade 2-placed sophomores LITTLE DRAMA (Burning Roma) and POPULIST POLITICS
(Don’t Get Mad), and maiden winner WINDSWEPT (Arch) round out the field.

One race earlier on the program, six three-year-old fillies will contest the
$200,000 Indiana Oaks (G2). Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert will be represented
by A Z WARRIOR (A.P. Indy), who will be looking for her first victory since last
fall’s Frizette S. (G1) at Belmont Park. The dark bay filly opened her 2011
campaign with a decent third in the Santa Anita Oaks (G1) in early March, but
she wasn’t seen again under silks until the August 27 Victory Ride (G3),
recording a fourth in the six-furlong event. That race served as a tightener for
A Z Warrior, who is the probable favorite Saturday with new rider Martin Pedroza.

Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) winner DAISY DEVINE (Kafwain) is a threat in the 1
1/16-mile Indiana Oaks. Seventh in the Kentucky Oaks (G1), the Andrew McKeever
trainee will be making her first appearance since a disappointing fifth as the
odds-on favorite in the Iowa Oaks (G3) on June 25. Regular rider James Graham will
guide the bay lass. Monmouth Oaks (G3) third-placer WITHGREATPLEASURE (Hold That
Tiger) and Calder invader NASTY RUMOR (Johannesburg) are also entered.

Hoosier Park will offer a total of 10 stakes races, including the $100,000
Michael G.
Schaefer Memorial Mile S. and $100,000
Mari Hulman
George S. The other six stakes are restricted to Indiana-breds.