Shackleford
Graded Earnings: $271,666.00
Race Record: 5-2-1-0
Trainer - Dale Romans
Jockey - Jesus Castanon
Owner - Mike Lauffer and Bill Cubbedge
Breeder - Mike Lauffer and Bill Cubbedge
Pedigree
Though his sire is a speed influence, Shackleford has some stamina from his dam's side, and along with it a fighting chance to see out the trip.
Bred in Kentucky by his owners Michael Lauffer and Bill Cubbedge, Shackleford is by Forestry, a son of Storm Cat. Forestry excelled in one-turn events, posting his biggest wins in the seven-furlong King's Bishop S. (G1) at Saratoga and the 1 1/16-mile Dwyer S. (G2) at Belmont. His stamina limitations were exposed in the 1 1/8-mile Haskell Invitational (G1) at Monmouth, where he was softened up by a taxing pace and tired late for third.
Forestry has tended to sire horses of a similar profile. His leading runner, $1.6 million earner Discreet Cat, was arguably at his best at a mile, but he did easily take the nearly nine-furlong U.A.E. Derby (UAE-G2). Diplomat Lady earned her signature victory in the 1 1/16-mile Hollywood Starlet S. (G1), while Forest Danger's highlight came in the seven-furlong Carter H. (G1). Grade 2 winners Smokey Glacken and Carolyn's Cat, and Grade 3 scorers Forest Grove and Separate Forest, were likewise sprinters. Forestry does get the occasional router, however -- Woodlander stayed 1 1/4 miles when taking a Grade 3 on the turf, and Etched was a two-time Grade 2 winner at 1 1/8 miles.
Shackleford is bred on a similar pattern to Etched; both are out of Unbridled-line mares. Etched's dam was by Unbridled's Song, but Shackleford's dam is by Unbridled himself, a more thoroughgoing source of stamina than Unbridled's Song.
Shackleford is out of Oatsee, who broke her maiden going 6 1/2 furlongs and placed in a minor stakes at 1 1/16 miles. As a broodmare, she has proven capable of transmitting her sire's staying capacity. Bred to champion sprinter Orientate, Oatsee produced Lady Joanne, heroine of the 1 1/4-mile Alabama S. (G1) and a close second in the 1 1/8-mile Mother Goose S. (G1) and Spinster S. (G1). Oatsee's other stakes-winning foal is multiple Grade 3 queen Baghdaria, successful in the 1 1/16-mile Silverbulletday S. (G3), Iowa Oaks (G3) and Indiana Oaks (G3).
Oatsee's sire, Unbridled, is famous for turning the Kentucky Derby (G1)/Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) double in 1990, garnering champion three-year-old colt honors. The 1 1/4-mile specialist became a prominent stallion, with three of his top performers combining to give him a Triple Crown sweep at stud -- Grindstone won the 1996 Kentucky Derby, Red Bullet captured the 2000 Preakness (G1) and Empire Maker landed the 2003 Belmont S. (G1). His champion three-year-old filly Banshee Breeze registered five Grade 1 wins, including the 1 1/2-mile Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) and a six-length romp in the Alabama; champion Smuggler was also a Grade 1 winner at 1 1/4 miles; and Unshaded won the 1 1/4-mile Travers S. (G1). The aforementioned Unbridled's Song, and champions Halfbridled and Anees, are other notable progeny.
Unbridled has so far exerted a greater influence as a sire of sires, but his daughters are responsible for the likes of Denis of Cork, the runner-up in the 2008 Belmont and third in that year's Kentucky Derby; Apart, the reigning Super Derby (G2) winner; multiple Grade 1-winning sprinter Dream Rush; Frizette S. (G1) heroine Sky Diva; French classic-winning miler Falco; and current Derby hopeful Anthony's Cross, victorious in the Robert B. Lewis S. (G2).
Oatsee hails from the same family as multiple Grade 1-winning millionaire Tappiano. Shackleford's fourth dam in the maternal line of descent, Taminette, is a full sister to Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-G1) scorer and noted sire Known Fact. Taminette is also a close relative of multiple Grade 1 star Tentam, and her half-siblings include stakes victress Secrettame, the dam of influential stallion Gone West.
