Animal Kingdom beats Caleb’s Posse to capture the 3-year-old title
There was always going to be a close contest between the 3-year-old male division, and Animal Kingdom and Caleb’s Posse was too close to call, but in the end Animal Kingdom went away with the Eclipse Award as the champion 3-year-old male.
The whole process made voting so difficult and unique for this particular spot, because the two protagonists were so different from each other.
Trained by Graham Motion for Team Valor International, Animal Kingdom who didn’t race after June 11, 2011, due to an injury he suffered, but had done enough to be in the Eclipse Award conversation after winning the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs followed up with the powerful runner up finish in the Grade 1 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico.
As Animal Kingdom ran all of his races above a mile, Caleb’s Posse on the other hand dwelled in one turn races, who was also a Derby prospect, but his ability was soon recognized over shorter distances and the specialist was pointed toward sprints.
In the end it was a close vote tally between Animal Kingdom and Caleb’s Posse, as the former edged past the latter by 114 to 111, as the Grade 1 Preakness Stakes winner, Shackleford received 12 first place vote, the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes winner, Ruler on Ice 5, Stay Thirst 4 and Uncle Mo received a solitary vote on 16 January, 2012.
The Kentucky bred son of Leroidesanimaux, out of mare Dalicia by Acatenango, Animal Kingdom was never considered for the Kentucky Derby and was originally pointed toward the non-grade Rushaway Stakes at Turfway Park.
Crimson China was expected to wreak havoc on the Derby trail, and was pointed toward the rich Grade 3 Vinery Racing Spiral Stakes, but due to short on earnings, Crimson China failed to make the field, and that reversed roles as Animal Kingdom started his Derby hunt.
It was a welcome change for Animal Kingdom as he romped past his opponents to win the Spiral and then came the Kentucky Derby on dirt at Churchill Downs.
It was the first time he ran over the 1 ¼ mile distance, but he made it look like as if he was born to do this. Downed the distance in 2 minutes and 2.04 seconds to win the most important race of the year, which clearly won his the 3-year-old male honours for the year 2011.
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