No Triple Crown In 2011

Affirmed was the last horse to sweep the Kentucky Derby, The Preakness, and The Belmont in 1978.  With the 2nd race of the Triple Crown run on Saturday, Shackleford wins The Preakness by less than 3/4 of a length and spoils the Triple Crown attempt by Derby winner Animal Kingdom. 

Shackleford who lead down the stretch in The Kentucky Derby got the job done by winning The Preakness at 20-1.  

Shackleford paid $27.20, $10.20 and $6.80.

Animal Kingdom, the 2-1 favorite, paid $4.20 and $3.60. Astrology paid $8 to show.

With no Triple Crown in 2011 and the Belmont Stakes next, the countdown to the Saratoga racing season has begun.  The 2011 Saratoga meet will be 40 days long beginning Friday, July 22.