Donn Handicap
On February 11, Shackleford was seventh out of a field of eleven horses in the Grade 1 Donn Handicap run at Gulfstream Park. Ruler on Ice also ran and finished eighth. On April 7, 2012, Shackleford ran in the $400,000 Grade 1 Carter Handicap at seven furlongs at Aqueduct Racetrack. Longshot Jackson Bend won by a nose over Caleb's Posse, with Shackleford another length and a half back in third.