2011 Preakness Stakes Results: 5 Things We Took from the Race

The 2011 Preakness Stakes is now over, and is was full of surprises. The race got down to the wire between two familiar faces, but the clear favorite did not get the win.

Shackleford took the lead relatively early in the race and never gave it up. Flashpoint held on with him, but fell to the back, and while Animal Kingdom started slow, he came close to pulling off an amazing comeback.

Now that the race is over, some things ended up being rather surprising from the race, while others were what we expected. Here are the main things we took from the race.

A Shorter Track Changed the Outcome

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BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 21: The field breaks from the gate during the 136th running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May 21, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

As has been noted, the Kentucky Derby track is slightly longer than the Preakness track. Had the Preakness been a little bit longer, it may have changed the outcome entirely.

Shackleford's problem in the Derby was stamina, failing a bit in the final stretch, while Animal Kingdom's problem in the Preakness was falling behind and not having enough time to catch back up.

Horses Are Not Fans of Getting into the Gate

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BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 20: Preakness entrant Dance City is lead back to the barn after going over the track at Pimlico Race Course on May 20, 2011 in Baltimore, Maryland. The 136th running of the Preakness Stakes will take place on May 21. (Photo by Rob Car

As the horses were making their way to the starting gate and getting ready to race, one thing in particular caught my eye. Many horses do not like to be placed in that crowded space.

Some like Animal Kingdom had no problem going in, while others like Shackleford were reluctant. Dance City in particular, who is a bit known for having a phobia of the gate, needed multiple trainers to push him in, and even then he barely made it.

He ended up racing surprisingly well for how bad he was looking just before the race.

Animal Kingdom Seemed Doomed from the Start

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BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 21: Jockey Jesus Castanon guides Shackleford #5 (C) out of the fourth turn to victory over Animal Kingdom and jocky John Velazquez #11 to win the 136th running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May 21, 2011 in Baltimor

Once the horses began racing, and once they were passed the first turn, there were two horses that were well behind everyone else. One was Dialed In, the other was Animal Kingdom.

While both finished well, the fact that Animal Kingdom had to deal with mounds of dirt in his face made it pretty much impossible to make up the big gap, though he came close in doing so.

Shackleford Is the Real Deal

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BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 21: Jockey Jesus Castanon guides Shackleford #5 to victory over Animal Kingdom and jocky John Velazquez #11 and Astrology with jockey Mike Smith #1 to win the 136th running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May 21, 20

At least, he's the real deal as long as the track isn't too long. Shackleford jumped into the lead early, and once there made sure not to relinquish it this time.

The only horses that seemed ready to take over were Flashpoint early and Animal Kingdom late, and neither did. In fact both also saw the back of the field, so Shackleford was the only consistent name out there.

Astrology Quietly Had a Great Outing

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BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 21: Jockey Jesus Castanon guides Shackleford #5 to victory over Animal Kingdom and jocky John Velazquez #11 (L) and Astrology with jockey Mike Smith #1 (R) to win the 136th running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on May

A horse that isn't being talked about much despite his performance is Astrology. Despite having the furthest inside starting spot, he jumped into the top five rather quickly, and was able to hold on to the third spot after Dance City fell back a bit.

Astrology now has the distinction of finishing in the top three in all eight career races, so that's definitely a mark to feel good about.