Belmont beauty: Derby and Preakness winners hook up

The rubber match is on: Preakness winner Shackleford is ready to take on Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom in Saturday’s Belmont Stakes. Shackleford passed his final test Saturday morning with a sharp five-furlong workout at Belmont Park. “As long as he comes out of the work good he will run,” trainer Dale Romans said after talking it over with the colt’s owner, Michael Lauffer. “I am excited he’s doing so well and coming into the race the right way. I think he’s going to be very competitive.” It’ll be the first time the Derby and Preakness winners hook up in the Belmont since 2005, when Preakness winner Afleet Alex beat Derby winner Giacomo, and the 22nd time in the history of the Triple Crown races. – Associated Press