Kentucky News

"Animal Kingdom (six furlongs in 1:13.17): Arguably the most important work of the morning and perhaps not so arguably the best of the bunch. With jockey Robby Albarado aboard, Animal Kingdom broke off a couple of lengths behind stablemate Meistersinger while beginning the drill in leisurely fashion, covering his opening quarter-mile in 24.60 seconds and three furlongs in 37.40. The duo entered the stretch on even terms but did not stay that way for long. Albarado gave Animal Kingdom the cue to pick up the pace nearing the eighth pole, at which point he leveled off almost instantaneously, drawing five lengths clear of his mate at the wire after covering his final quarter-mile in 24.01. Animal Kingdom then proceeded to gallop out very willingly around the turn, pulling up seven-eighths in 1:26.24." DRF




"Trainer Graham Motion was looking for a positive sign that Animal Kingdom would handle the dirt as well as he does both turf and artificial surfaces and there should be little doubt he found it considering the manner in which the Spiral winner moved over the surface and finished once Albarado let him drop his head a little down the stretch." DRF