It was a sweet win for Shackleford, which was the front-runner at the Derby but saw Animal Kingdom push ahead in that race and cruise to a clear victory. Shackleford finished fourth at the Derby.
Saturday was Animal Kingdom's turn to play catch-up down the stretch. Ridden by John Velazquez, he thundered ahead of several horses but couldn't quite catch Shackleford and finished nearly a length behind.
Astrology finished third.
Shackleford, with 12-1 odds, did not want to enter the gate at Pimlico. He glistened with sweat and had to be coaxed in.
But he was all business once the gates opened and led most of the way, winning in 1:56:47.
The thrilling finish ended Animal Kingdom's bid for a Triple Crown, last won by Affirmed in 1978.
"It feels amazing. I couldn't have asked for a better run than he really did," said winning jockey Jesus Castanon.
Castanon dedicated his first Triple Crown victory to his mother in Mexico and father, who died in November. "I know my dad is watching me," he said.
"We won some big races, but not as exciting as that one," Shackleford trainer Dale Romans told NBC Sports.
Velazquez blamed Animal Kingdom's poor start on the dirt hitting him in the face.
Of starting so far back, "It was a little too much to make up."
The jockey acknowledged dirt hit Animal Kingdom in the Derby but said in that race, he was so close to the other horses that the dirt was hitting him in the chest.
Animal Kingdom's trainer, Graham Motion, said Shackleford "ran huge."
Shackleford is named for an island off the coast of North Carolina that is frequented by his owners.
At least 10,000 fans jammed the infield to watch the 14-horse race on a sunny and warm Baltimore afternoon.
Dialed In, with 4-1 odds, had contact in the back of the pack and finished fourth.
CNN's Lateef Mungin contributed to this report.
I was kinda hoping Animal Kingdom would win the Preakness.
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