LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Shackleford, the 2011 Preakness winner, ended his career with a victory Friday in the 138th running of the Grade 1 Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs.
Ridden by Jesus Castanon, Shackleford broke sharply and led throughout to beat Take Charge Indy by a length, running 1 1/8 miles in 1:49.12.
Sent off as the second choice in the field of nine, Shackleford paid $7.80, $4.80 and $3.40. Take Charge Indy, with Calvin Borel aboard, returned $6.80 and $4.40, and Bourbon Courage paid $4 to show.
The $266,054 winner’s share pushed Shackleford’s career earnings to $3,090,101. It was the third Grade 1 victory in 20 career starts for the Dale Romans trainee owned by Mike Lauffer and Bill Cubbedge.
A troubled seventh in his last start, the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita, Shackleford will now stand stud at Darby Dan Farm in Lexington.