Belmont Stakes 2011: Preakness Winner Shackleford Expected To Contend

Following Shackleford's win at the 2011 Preakness Stakes on Saturday, trainer Dale Romans spoke to the media on Sunday about the horse's chances of running in the 2011 Belmont Stakes. Romans indicated that Shackleford has a good shot at running in the final leg of the Triple Crown next month:

"I thought last night of going onto Belmont right away," said the 44-year-old Louisville native. "But I wanted to send him back to Kentucky so we’ll get him with his regular team, go over him, watch him train a couple days and then make the decision. Ultimately it will be Mike’s (Lauffer) call, but he’ll let me have a lot of input, I’m sure. If he trains like he did going into the Derby, I don’t know why we would pass. I think it’s better than 50-50."

Meanwhile, it is still unclear if Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom, who came in second at the Preakness, will run in the Belmont. Trainer Graham Motion said on Sunday that they will give the horse a week or two to recover before commenting on the likelihood of Animal Kingdom entering the race.

The Belmont Stakes 2011 is on Saturday, June 11. Post time is 6:30 p.m. ET and the race will be aired on NBC.