Shackleford will be returning to the scene of his victory in the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap, which was contested over the Kelso's one-mile distance in May. The flashy chestnut has raced only once since, finishing eighth in the Grade 1 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap on August 5 at Saratoga. He originally was pointed toward Saratoga's Grade 1 Forego on September 1 but bypassed the race after developing a cough.

Shackleford's time ranked as the best of 18 works at the distance by a full second. The second-best clocking of 1:01 4/5 was turned in by Grade 2 veteran Joyful Victory.

"It was as good of a work as he's ever had, and we did the right thing by skipping the Forego," said Romans, who trains the chestnut for Michael Lauffer, W.D. Cubbedge and the Phillips Racing Partnership. "We're looking for a big effort from him."

Hall of Famer John Velazquez will ride The Lumber Guy, Hushion added.

The Steve Asmussen barn, which sent out Dust and Diamonds to score in Saturday's Grade 2 Gallant Bloom Handicap, will attempt to land another Belmont graded sprint stakes next week with Zayat Stables' Justin Phillip in the Vosburgh.

On Sunday, Justin Phillip breezed four furlongs over Belmont's good main track in :49 4/5 as he prepares for his first start since finishing second by a neck in the Vanderbilt.