Thursday, 09 February 2012Two of last year's three Triple Crown winners, Shackleford and Ruler On Ice, will square off for the first time since the Travers when an outstanding field of 11 older handicap horses go 1 1/8 miles in Saturday's $500,000 Donn Handicap at Gulfstream Park.
The Donn is one of two Grade 1 races on the card that was drawn Wednesday, along with the $300,000 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap, but there is little doubt which of the two events will take the spotlight here Saturday. Along with Shackleford and Ruler On Ice, the Donn also lured the undefeated Trickmeister, last fall's Breeders' Cup Classic favorite Flat Out, Grade 3 winner Redeemed, Soaring Empire, Mission Impazible, Al Khali, Where's Sterling, Hymn Book, and Sangaree.
Al Khali and Sangaree were cross-entered in the Gulfstream Park Turf.
Preakness winner Shackleford arguably took the worst of the post position draw among the top contenders considering the short run to the first turn in 1 1/8-mile races at this track. Shackleford drew post 9 although he could move in a slot if Al Khali scratches to compete in the Gulfstream Turf as expected.