[Stardust]

BALTIMORE -- Soaked with sweat, Shackleford bucked and kicked until crewmen finally shoved him into the No. 5 gate at the Preakness.

One-half ton of horseflesh all but screamed, "Get me out of here."

Less than two minutes after the gate sprang open, the nervous colt was a cool classic winner.

Shackleford held off a late charge by the 2-1 favorite Animal Kingdom, spoiling yet another Triple Crown try and beating the Kentucky Derby winner by a half-length Saturday at Pimlico.

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The chestnut colt, who led into the stretch in the Derby two weeks ago, finished the job at 12-1 odds, covering the 1 3/16 miles in 1:56.47.

With jockey Jesus Castanon aboard, Shackleford battled Flashpoint for the lead through a quick opening quarter-mile of 22.69 seconds, just a fifth of a second off the Preakness record.

They continued their duel until midway on the final turn, when Shackleford dug in to hold off the onrushing Animal Kingdom before 107,398 fans.

"He was a little hot in the beginning, but he was able to calm down," Castanon said. "He's a good horse and able to handle it."

It was the first victory in a Triple Crown race for Castanon and trainer Dale Romans, a Louisville, Ky., native, who watched Shackleford finish fourth in the Derby.

Shackleford's pre-race antics weren't unusual. He often gets nervous and sweats excessively, not normally a good thing on a day when temperatures hit the 80s in sunny Baltimore.

"He wasn't acting that bad. It's a hot day, so that wasn't worrying me too much. I was more concerned at the quarter-pole if he was going to hold on," said Romans, who had one Breeders' Cup victory and a win in the $6 million Dubai World Cup to his credit in his long career.

"I've won some big races, but none as exciting as that one," he said, meaning the Preakness, where he finished second last year with First Dude.