Is the Preakness winner, Shackleford a better horse than the Kentucky Derby winner, Animal Kingdom? The question will linger in the minds of people till June 11. June 11, is the date when the final leg of Triple Crown is to take place. Shackleford’s participation
is still in doubt. But Animal Kingdom will run in the Belmont Stakes. His participation was confirmed by his trainer Graham Motion announced this on May27, 2011; he said “We just made the decision that he will be coming to the Belmont.”
Graham Motion was at the time in his Fair Hill Training Center. Fair Hill Training Center is the home base of trainer Graham Motion. Animal Kingdom was with him, he had been stabled there ever since he was runner up to Shackleford. He has made proved his
ability, be it on dirt or turf.
The son of Leroidesanimaux won Kentucky Derby under the expert hands of jockey John Velazquez. He completed the Kentucky Derby’s 1 ¼ miles in 2minutes and 2 seconds. The most captivating feature about winning the race was that the Kentucky Derby was his
first start on dirt
Animal Kingdom prepared vigorously for the Preakness Stakes and managed to please Motion by finishing a mere half length behind the winner, Shackleford. Motion pleased with his performance and hoping for another impressive one said “He bounced out of the
Preakness very well and we are looking forward to running in the Belmont Stakes. He will probably come to Belmont Park the week leading up to race, depending on where we decide to have his final workout.”
To spice things up Shackleford and Animal Kingdom could offer the onlookers one of the best races they have ever witnessed. Animal Kingdom will be taking part in the 143rd running of the Belmont Stakes. It has the distinction of being the oldest leg of the
Triple Crown. Animal Kingdom was bought for $100,000 and the three year old has earned over one million. He is rated 3-3-0 in his lifetime of six starts.
Animal Kingdom jogged over the dirt surface at the Fair Hill Training Centre in North east Maryland on Friday May 27th May, 2011. Motion is yet to decide when to ship him to New York to practise for the Belmont Stakes. For practising for the Belmont
Stakes he ought to send the horse a week before the race.
Animal Kingdom races for Team Valor International. He may not have won the middle jewel of the Triple Crown but if he wins the Belmont Stakes, he will be the 12th horse in history to have won the Derby and Preakness Stakes. This feat was last
accomplished by Thunder Gulch in 1995. As for his fans they need to pray that Animal Kingdom may be able to astound them in the Belmont Stakes.
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