National Volleyball League Debuts During 2011 Preakness

Shackleford takes home the Woodlawn Vase as the champion of the 136th running of the Preakness Stakes—the famed second leg of horse racing's historic Triple Crown. Animal Kingdom, winner of the Kentucky Derby, finished second, narrowly missing on his bid to do what no horse has done since Affirmed in 1978. Astrology took third from the first post and Dance City took fourth.

Well, this is something that should have got a lot more press.

Apparently, during the Preakness Stakes, in the middle of the infield, the National Volleyball League held their very first event.

I’m fairly new to horse racing, but I’m flabbergasted by the amount of stuff that goes on at these things that’s completely outside the realm of actual horse racing. In fact, organizers weren’t even sure that spectators in the infield would have any idea what was going on:

The debauchery of the Preakness infield -- where fans consume limitless amounts of alcohol and are encouraged to "be legendary" in their partying efforts -- has been well-chronicled over the years. Many attendees may not realize what they're watching when they stop to see the NVL players compete, but in spite of uncertainty in the U.S. sector, beach volleyball has been a popular and established sport on many international fronts, especially since it was first included in the Olympics in 1996. That year, the U.S. men's team won silver and gold. In 2000, the men won gold again, and in 2004 the women took gold and bronze. (ESPN.com)

 I personally think this is a fantastic idea. It gives a small league like this some extra press and gets people talking about it when they normally might not have. And really, any time you can get athletic women in bikinis at any event, that’s just a huge win.

No word yet on whether they’ll try again at the Belmont Stakes. That may already be reserved for a quiddich game.

Check Out 10 Bold Predictions for the 2011 Belmont Stakes! 2011 Preakness Stakes Results: 5 Bold Predictions for Belmont Stakes and Beyond

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

Paddy O Prado and Rider Kent Desormeaux Win The Preakness Undercard

Shackleford takes home the Woodlawn Vase as the champion of the 136th running of the Preakness Stakes—the famed second leg of horse racing's historic Triple Crown. Animal Kingdom, winner of the Kentucky Derby, finished second, narrowly missing on his bid to do what no horse has done since Affirmed in 1978. Astrology took third from the first post and Dance City took fourth.

Before the Preakness, the Dixie Stakes was an exciting appetizer and an integral part of a successful 2011 Preakness event for Pimlico Race Course.

Celebrity jockey, Kent Desormeaux is best known for riding Big Brown to a Kentucky Derby win in 2008, but was a Hall of Fame jockey even before that.

Paddy O' Prado is trained by Dale Romans who also trained Preakness winner Shackleford.

Here are the final betting payouts:

Winner: (5) Shackleford 27.20 | 10.20 | 6.80
Second: (11) Animal Kingdom x | 4.20 | 3.60
Third: (1) Astrology x | x | 8.00

Exacta: 5-11 $114.80
Trifecta: 5-11-1 $1,401.80
Superfecta: 5-11-1-10 $6,212.60

Here Are The Full Results Of The 2011 Preakness Stakes:

1. 5- Shackleford
2. 11- Animal Kingdom ½
3. 1- Astrology 1 ¾
4. 10- Dialed In 4 ¼
5. 8- Dance City 6 1/54
6. 9- Mucho Macho Man 7 ½
7. 3- King Congie 9
8. 14- Mr. Commons 9 3/4
9. 12- Isn’t He Perfect 11 1/4
10. 13- Concealed Identity 12 ½
11. 2- Norman Asbjornson 12 3/4
12. 6- Sway Away 14 1/2
13. 7- Midnight Interlude 21 1/2
14. 4- Flashpoint 21 3/4

Check Out 10 Bold Predictions for the 2011 Belmont Stakes! 2011 Preakness Stakes Results: 5 Bold Predictions for Belmont Stakes and Beyond

East Coast Fast Food Chain Offering Free Food With Shackleford Win

Shackleford takes home the Woodlawn Vase as the champion of the 136th running of the Preakness Stakes—the famed second leg of horse racing's historic Triple Crown. Animal Kingdom, winner of the Kentucky Derby, finished second, narrowly missing on his bid to do what no horse has done since Affirmed in 1978. Astrology took third from the first post and Dance City took fourth.

Did you work up an appetite watching Shackleford run away with the Preakness Stakes, but don’t want to spend any money? Shake Shack has got you covered.

Before the race, the burger joint’s owner, Danny Meyer, offered up free frozen custard if the aptly named Shackleford won.

Well, he did, and Meyer is backing up the claim saying “Shackleford wins Preakness and world doesn’t end. Free custard offer stands.”

This is a great offer from a chain using a smart connection with a horses name to drum up a little publicity and maybe even some extra business.

Hopefully this trend will continue and that people will start naming their horses something like Cheesecake Factory or Red Lobster.

What? A guy can dream, can’t he? It’s not like those names would be any weirder than some of the ones people come up with anyway.

--Matt King

Check Out 10 Bold Predictions for the 2011 Belmont Stakes! 2011 Preakness Stakes Results: 5 Bold Predictions for Belmont Stakes and Beyond

Pimlico Crowd Large and Laid Back at the 2011 Preakness Stakes

Shackleford takes home the Woodlawn Vase as the champion of the 136th running of the Preakness Stakes—the famed second leg of horse racing's historic Triple Crown. Animal Kingdom, winner of the Kentucky Derby, finished second, narrowly missing on his bid to do what no horse has done since Affirmed in 1978. Astrology took third from the first post and Dance City took fourth.

The Preakness Stakes has been known in recent years for its extreme amounts of partying and underage drinking. Once outside alcohol was banned, Pimlico was also known for its boring atmosphere.

Baltimore Police Commissioner, Fred Bealefield thinks this year was just right:

Bealefeld, as much of a booster of the city as he is its 3,000-member Police Department, said the changes in alcohol policy instituted by the Jockey Club in recent years have improved the quality of the event.

"It just upped the environment," the commissioner said. He remembers working the event as a patrol officer and a sergeant, and recalled that it was "just nuts."

On Saturday, Bealefeld noted the well-behaved infield crowd. "We just walked through there, and what did you see? A bunch of nothing." He received updates every 30 minutes. By 2 p.m., the only action was three people ejected for fighting.

Check Out 10 Bold Predictions for the 2011 Belmont Stakes! 2011 Preakness Stakes Results: 5 Bold Predictions for Belmont Stakes and Beyond

Jesus Castanon Rides Shackleford to Victory in the 2011 Preakness Stakes

Shackleford takes home the Woodlawn Vase as the champion of the 136th running of the Preakness Stakes—the famed second leg of horse racing's historic Triple Crown. Animal Kingdom, winner of the Kentucky Derby, finished second, narrowly missing on his bid to do what no horse has done since Affirmed in 1978. Astrology took third from the first post and Dance City took fourth.

Jesus Castanon is no rock star jockey. A quick Google search of the 2011 Preakness Stakes champion yields little to no results.

Castanon was born in Mexico City in 1973 and currently lives in Louisville, KY. He is one member of a large horse racing family with two jockeys for brothers and a father who trained race horses for a living.

His first win on a horse was in 1989 and the 2011 Preakness was his first major win.

Here are the final betting payouts:

Winner: (5) Shackleford 27.20 | 10.20 | 6.80
Second: (11) Animal Kingdom x | 4.20 | 3.60
Third: (1) Astrology x | x | 8.00

Exacta: 5-11 $114.80
Trifecta: 5-11-1 $1,401.80
Superfecta: 5-11-1-10 $6,212.60

Here Are The Full Results Of The 2011 Preakness Stakes:

1. 5- Shackleford
2. 11- Animal Kingdom ½
3. 1- Astrology 1 ¾
4. 10- Dialed In 4 ¼
5. 8- Dance City 6 1/54
6. 9- Mucho Macho Man 7 ½
7. 3- King Congie 9
8. 14- Mr. Commons 9 3/4
9. 12- Isn’t He Perfect 11 1/4
10. 13- Concealed Identity 12 ½
11. 2- Norman Asbjornson 12 3/4
12. 6- Sway Away 14 1/2
13. 7- Midnight Interlude 21 1/2
14. 4- Flashpoint 21 3/4

Check Out 10 Bold Predictions for the 2011 Belmont Stakes! 2011 Preakness Stakes Results: 5 Bold Predictions for Belmont Stakes and Beyond

Triple Crown Hopes Dashed, Animal Kingdom Still Aiming For A Belmont Win

Shackleford takes home the Woodlawn Vase as the champion of the 136th running of the Preakness Stakes—the famed second leg of horse racing's historic Triple Crown. Animal Kingdom, winner of the Kentucky Derby, finished second, narrowly missing on his bid to do what no horse has done since Affirmed in 1978. Astrology took third from the first post and Dance City took fourth.

You could see the looks of disappointment on the faces of everyone involved with Animal Kingdom when he came up short in an exciting bid for the Preakness Stakes, failing in a late surge, ending up with second.

So the Triple Crown remains elusive, but 2 out of 3 is still quite a consolation prize, so Animal Kingdom and his team will have to refocus their efforts, try to put this loss behind them, and start looking towards the Belmont Stakes.

According to Jeff Frank, he does have one very good thing going for him:

Animal Kingdom has something the others did not possess - a pedigree geared to running the grueling 12 furlongs around the Belmont Park surface.

So even though Animal Kingdom won’t be going in with a bid to win the Triple Crown, he’s still set up pretty good for Belmont. I initially assumed that Shackleford would be favored after his performance in the Preakness, but it looks like Animal Kingdom may keep that favorite title three weeks from now.

--Matt King

Check Out 10 Bold Predictions for the 2011 Belmont Stakes 2011 Preakness Stakes Results: 5 Bold Predictions for Belmont Stakes and Beyond

Shackleford's Preakness Win A Testament To Great Breeding Lines

Shackleford takes home the Woodlawn Vase as the champion of the 136th running of the Preakness Stakes—the famed second leg of horse racing's historic Triple Crown. Animal Kingdom, winner of the Kentucky Derby, finished second, narrowly missing on his bid to do what no horse has done since Affirmed in 1978. Astrology took third from the first post and Dance City took fourth.

Bodog.com has all the details:

Shackleford’s sire was the incredibly quick Forestry who set a record time in the 1999 King’s Bishop Grade 1 race which remains unequalled today. In Forestry’s family tree are both Northern Dancer and Secretariat so Shackleford is built to run fast and hard.

Here are the final betting payouts:

Winner: (5) Shackleford 27.20 | 10.20 | 6.80
Second: (11) Animal Kingdom x | 4.20 | 3.60
Third: (1) Astrology x | x | 8.00

Exacta: 5-11 $114.80
Trifecta: 5-11-1 $1,401.80
Superfecta: 5-11-1-10 $6,212.60

Here Are The Full Results Of The 2011 Preakness Stakes:

1. 5- Shackleford
2. 11- Animal Kingdom ½
3. 1- Astrology 1 ¾
4. 10- Dialed In 4 ¼
5. 8- Dance City 6 1/54
6. 9- Mucho Macho Man 7 ½
7. 3- King Congie 9
8. 14- Mr. Commons 9 3/4
9. 12- Isn’t He Perfect 11 1/4
10. 13- Concealed Identity 12 ½
11. 2- Norman Asbjornson 12 3/4
12. 6- Sway Away 14 1/2
13. 7- Midnight Interlude 21 1/2
14. 4- Flashpoint 21 3/4

Check Out 10 Bold Predictions for the 2011 Belmont Stakes! 2011 Preakness Stakes Results: 5 Bold Predictions for Belmont Stakes and Beyond

Astrology Comes In Third at the 2011 Preakness Stakes

Shackleford takes home the Woodlawn Vase as the champion of the 136th running of the Preakness Stakes—the famed second leg of horse racing's historic Triple Crown. Animal Kingdom, winner of the Kentucky Derby, finished second, narrowly missing on his bid to do what no horse has done since Affirmed in 1978. Astrology took third from the first post and Dance City took fourth.

Astrology is a name not known to many casual race fans, but with Seattle Slew and Secretariat in his pedigree, he always had a fighters chance.

Never really close to winning the race, Astrology was markedly ahead of fourth place Dialed In.

Here are the final betting payouts:

Winner: (5) Shackleford 27.20 | 10.20 | 6.80
Second: (11) Animal Kingdom x | 4.20 | 3.60
Third: (1) Astrology x | x | 8.00

Exacta: 5-11 $114.80
Trifecta: 5-11-1 $1,401.80
Superfecta: 5-11-1-10 $6,212.60

Here Are The Full Results Of The 2011 Preakness Stakes:

1. 5- Shackleford
2. 11- Animal Kingdom ½
3. 1- Astrology 1 ¾
4. 10- Dialed In 4 ¼
5. 8- Dance City 6 1/54
6. 9- Mucho Macho Man 7 ½
7. 3- King Congie 9
8. 14- Mr. Commons 9 3/4
9. 12- Isn’t He Perfect 11 1/4
10. 13- Concealed Identity 12 ½
11. 2- Norman Asbjornson 12 3/4
12. 6- Sway Away 14 1/2
13. 7- Midnight Interlude 21 1/2
14. 4- Flashpoint 21 3/4

For analysis of the Preakness Stakes results, including a look ahead to the Belmont Stakes, stay tuned to Bleacher Report 2011 Preakness Stakes Results: Complete Results for the Field

Could the 2011 Belmont Stakes' Best Horse Be A Horse That Didn't Run The Preakness?

Shackleford takes home the Woodlawn Vase as the champion of the 136th running of the Preakness Stakes—the famed second leg of horse racing's historic Triple Crown. Animal Kingdom, winner of the Kentucky Derby, finished second, narrowly missing on his bid to do what no horse has done since Affirmed in 1978. Astrology took third from the first post and Dance City took fourth.

Although Shackleford’s owners haven’t yet given full confirmation that he’ll be racing in the Belmont Stakes in three weeks, you have to imagine that they couldn’t resist the opportunity for one more payday and a place in history if they can win two of the three legs of the Triple Crown.

If he does take on Belmont, he’ll have strong competition from a horse that would have been one of the favorites in the Preakness had he not pulled out. Nehro will instead be waiting at the Belmont Stakes after a much needed rest.

"The Preakness would have been his fourth start in eight weeks," Zayat said. "We have to do what's right for the horse."

After breaking his maiden on Feb. 21, Nehro finished second in his next three starts: the March 26 Louisiana Derby, the April 16 Arkansas Derby and the May 7 Kentucky Derby.

 "This gives us five weeks to the Belmont Stakes," Zayat said, referring to the final jewel of the Triple Crown, which will be run June 11 at Belmont Park. (NewYorkDailyNews.com)

Will a fresh Nehro be too much for the fast-starting and now strong-finishing Shackleford or even the gritty fortitude of Animal Kingdom?

You have to imagine that once it’s all said and done, it’s going to come down to some combination of those three.

For analysis of the Preakness Stakes results, including a look ahead to the Belmont Stakes, stay tuned to Bleacher Report 2011 Preakness Stakes Results: Complete Results for the Field

Does a 2011 Preakness Stakes Win Make Shackleford the Early Favorite For Horse Of The Year?

Shackleford takes home the Woodlawn Vase as the champion of the 136th running of the Preakness Stakes—the famed second leg of horse racing's historic Triple Crown. Animal Kingdom, winner of the Kentucky Derby, finished second, narrowly missing on his bid to do what no horse has done since Affirmed in 1978. Astrology took third from the first post and Dance City took fourth.

While many look to the Kentucky Derby as the premier horse racing event, those who know the sport best value the Preakness just as much.

Joe Drape of the New York Times has the details:

The horsemen also know something else about the Preakness: more often than not, the best horse of its generation wins it.

In fact, its last 10 winners went on to be named the 3-year-old champion, and the filly Rachel Alexandra was crowned 2009’s Horse of the Year as well.

“It legitimizes a horse,” said the Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, who has won here five times, including last year with Lookin at Lucky. “The field size is manageable, so no one gets compromised by tough trips, and coming out of the Derby, you know who the real horses are. The best in the crop win this race.”

For analysis of the Preakness Stakes results, including a look ahead to the Belmont Stakes, stay tuned to Bleacher Report 2011 Preakness Stakes Results: Complete Results for the Field

Final Betting Payouts and Results For the 2011 Preakness Stakes

Shackleford takes home the Woodlawn Vase as the champion of the 136th running of the Preakness Stakes—the famed second leg of horse racing's historic Triple Crown. Animal Kingdom, winner of the Kentucky Derby, finished second, narrowly missing on his bid to do what no horse has done since Affirmed in 1978. Astrology took third from the first post and Dance City took fourth.

Here are the final betting payouts:

Winner: (5) Shackleford 27.20 | 10.20 | 6.80
Second: (11) Animal Kingdom x | 4.20 | 3.60
Third: (1) Astrology x | x | 8.00

Exacta: 5-11 $114.80
Trifecta: 5-11-1 $1,401.80
Superfecta: 5-11-1-10 $6,212.60

Here Are The Full Results Of The 2011 Preakness Stakes:

1. 5- Shackleford
2. 11- Animal Kingdom ½
3. 1- Astrology 1 ¾
4. 10- Dialed In 4 ¼
5. 8- Dance City 6 1/54
6. 9- Mucho Macho Man 7 ½
7. 3- King Congie 9
8. 14- Mr. Commons 9 3/4
9. 12- Isn’t He Perfect 11 1/4
10. 13- Concealed Identity 12 ½
11. 2- Norman Asbjornson 12 3/4
12. 6- Sway Away 14 1/2
13. 7- Midnight Interlude 21 1/2
14. 4- Flashpoint 21 3/4

For analysis of the Preakness Stakes results, including a look ahead to the Belmont Stakes, stay tuned to Bleacher Report. 2011 Preakness Stakes Results: Complete Results for the Field

Shackleford takes home the Woodlawn Vase as the champion of the 136th running of the Preakness Stakes—the famed second leg of horse racing's historic Triple Crown. Animal Kingdom, winner of the Kentucky Derby, finished second, narrowly missing on his bid to do what no horse has done since Affirmed in 1978. Astrology took third from the first post and Dance City took fourth.

Mucho Macho Man wasn't just running for himself in the Preakness. One of his owners had bought a small share and was set to have a huge payday.

WXIA-TV Atlanta has the details:

Heather (Sherrington) and her husband, Greg, spent $800 to get one share of Mucho Macho Man.  At the time they made the investment, the had no idea the successes the horse was bound for, namely a third place finish in this year's Kentucky Derby.

Mucho Macho Man has earned more than $600,000 so far.  As owners they get around one percent of that, closer to $5,000 so far.

Here Are The Full Results Of The 2011 Preakness Stakes:

1. 5- Shackleford
2. 11- Animal Kingdom ½
3. 1- Astrology 1 ¾
4. 10- Dialed In 4 ¼
5. 8- Dance City 6 1/54
6. 9- Mucho Macho Man 7 ½
7. 3- King Congie 9
8. 14- Mr. Commons 9 3/4
9. 12- Isn’t He Perfect 11 1/4
10. 13- Concealed Identity 12 ½
11. 2- Norman Asbjornson 12 3/4
12. 6- Sway Away 14 1/2
13. 7- Midnight Interlude 21 1/2
14. 4- Flashpoint 21 3/4

For analysis of the Preakness Stakes results, including a look ahead to the Belmont Stakes, stay tuned to Bleacher Report 2011 Preakness Stakes Results: Live Reaction To The Race

Preakness Stakes Winner, Shackleford, Wins Obscure Bonus with Pimlico Win

Shackleford takes home the Woodlawn Vase as the champion of the 136th running of the Preakness Stakes—the famed second leg of horse racing's historic Triple Crown. Animal Kingdom, winner of the Kentucky Derby, finished second, narrowly missing on his bid to do what no horse has done since Affirmed in 1978. Astrology took third from the first post and Dance City took fourth.

Winning the 136^th Preakness Stakes is a pretty sweet way to spend your fake rapture day, but it’s a little bit sweeter if you get a $550,000 bonus as a cherry on top for winning the prestigious race.

A lot was made about Dialed in and the $5 million-plus bonus he was set to win if he could come up with the Preakness crown, as well there should have been. $5 million clams is quite the win bonus.

But for a race with a $1 million purse, an extra 55 percent on top sounds pretty good to me.

Of course, the horse’s real value right now is going to come from being a stud, and his price will only go up if he wins the Belmont as well.

No word yet on if there’s any sort of bonus planned if Shackleford wins the Belmont. Hell, the owner didn’t even give a solid yes on whether or not Shackleford was even going to race it. But I’d bet you that win bonus would definitely be somewhere north of $1 million alone.

Here Are The Full Results Of The 2011 Preakness Stakes:

1. 5- Shackleford
2. 11- Animal Kingdom ½
3. 1- Astrology 1 ¾
4. 10- Dialed In 4 ¼
5. 8- Dance City 6 1/54
6. 9- Mucho Macho Man 7 ½
7. 3- King Congie 9
8. 14- Mr. Commons 9 3/4
9. 12- Isn’t He Perfect 11 1/4
10. 13- Concealed Identity 12 ½
11. 2- Norman Asbjornson 12 3/4
12. 6- Sway Away 14 1/2
13. 7- Midnight Interlude 21 1/2
14. 4- Flashpoint 21 3/4

Check Out Full Analysis Of The Results Here On Bleacher Report! 2011 Preakness Stakes Results: Complete Results for the Field

Shackleford Was the Winner of the 2011 Preakness Stakes, Here are the Full Results

Shackleford takes home the Woodlawn Vase as the champion of the 136th running of the Preakness Stakes—the famed second leg of horse racing's historic Triple Crown. Animal Kingdom, winner of the Kentucky Derby, finished second, narrowly missing on his bid to do what no horse has done since Affirmed in 1978. Astrology took third from the first post and Dance City took fourth.

For analysis of the Preakness Stakes results, including a look ahead to the Belmont Stakes, stay tuned to Bleacher Report 2011 Preakness Stakes Results: Live Reaction To The Race

Post Race Coverage Moves From NBC To New Partner, The Versus Network

Shackleford takes home the Woodlawn Vase as the champion of the 136th running of the Preakness Stakes—the famed second leg of horse racing's historic Triple Crown. Animal Kingdom, winner of the Kentucky Derby, finished second, narrowly missing on his bid to do what no horse has done since Affirmed in 1978. Astrology took third from the first post and Dance City took fourth.

NBC recently announced that Versus Network will be re-branded as NBC Sports sometime this year. Plans have been rolled out to expand the partnership between the two channels and crosscover sports—most notably the NHL.

This year, horseracing fans have the  benefit from that partnership according to The Baltimore Sun:

NBC says there will be more coverage of Preakness events than ever on national TV thanks to Versus, the Comcast-owned sports-oriented cable channel, that will start carrying Preakness events at 3 p.m. Friday.

First up, its "Preakness Classics," from 3 to 4 p.m., followed by "Black Eyes Susan Stakes" from 4 to 5.

Versus will also be offering live coverage of the festivities at Pimlico from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday.

Over on NBC, race coverage will begin at 4:30p.m. following game four of the NHL Eastern Conference Finals. Coverage will switch back to Versus at 6:30 for post-race coverage.

This is the first year that NBC is airing all three of the Triple Crown races and the network is going all in on the coverage. The three races are being produced by award-winning Sunday Night Football producer Fred Gaudelli.

For analysis of the Preakness Stakes results, including a look ahead to the Belmont Stakes, stay tuned to Bleacher Report 2011 Preakness Stakes Results: Live Reaction To The Race