With the 2011 Preakness Stakes taking place on May 21, we will take a look at some of the key contenders to win. First up: Shackleford.
If the 2011 Kentucky Derby was the same length as the Preakness, Shackleford may be the person we are all swarming over instead of Animal Kingdom. It was Shackleford who led the way for most of the race, only to be passed by three horses in the final stretch to eventually finish fourth. Now, Shackleford will look to take down Animal Kingdom in the 2011 Preakness Stakes, a race that is a quarter of a mile shorter than the Kentucky Derby.
Shackleford had received five weeks of rest prior to the Kentucky Derby, which is a little less than what Animal Kingdom received, but more than other contenders like Nehro (if that horse races). Shackleford also almost won the Florida Derby despite poor odds. He certainly is a horse to watch come next Sunday.
To get caught up, check out SB Nation's 2011 Kentucky Derby StoryStream. Also, our horse racing blog And Down The Stretch They Come has two must-read resources for Derby and Preakness fans: A Beginner's Guide To Following Horse Racing and a glossary of horse racing terms.