Returning to Churchill Downs on May 5,2012, Shackleford won the $400,000 Grade 2 Churchill Downs Stakes, beating the American Champion Sprint Horse Amazombie by a length.
Returning to Churchill Downs on Derby Day, May 5,2012, Shackleford raced in the $400,000 Grade 2 Churchill Downs Stakes at seven furlongs on the dirt. In that race he beat the favorite American Champion Sprint Horse Amazombie by a length.