Shackleford
photo by Adam Coglianese

Preakness winner Shackleford, second by a neck to Coil in Sunday’s Grade 1 Haskell Invitational, arrived at Saratoga Race Course shortly after 4 p.m. today to prepare for his next start.

Whether that will be against fellow 3-year-olds, likely to include Coil and Jim Dandy winner Stay Thirsty, in the Grade 1, $1 million Travers on Saturday, August 27, or against older horses one week later in the Grade 1, $750,000 Woodward has yet to be determined, said trainer Dale Romans.

“The obvious thing is to go in the Travers and take on the 3-year-olds,” he said, “but then we’ve had a few discussions about the Woodward, which gives us an extra week; it’s 1 1/8 miles, and we’d get a little bit of weight. It’s something to look at.”

Shackleford was full of energy following the van ride from Monmouth Park, bucking and playing as he got a bath and a walk, and then settling in to his stall.

“Nothing takes anything out of him,” said Romans. “He looks safe and sound and looks happy to be here in Saratoga.”

Romans said Shackleford will return to the track on Wednesday for a jog and resume more serious training at the end of the week.

“We wouldn’t have to make a decision about his next start until the week of the race,” he said. “We’ll see who’s in each race and see which one makes the most sense.”