Animal Kingdom turned in half a mile a day after receiving his top 3-year-old male honours
Team Valor International owned newly turned 4-year-old colt, Animal Kingdom, received the honours of the top 3-year-old male at the Eclipse Awards on 16 January, 2012.
The Leroidesanimaux chestnut colt turned in a leisurely half mile on turf at Palm Meadows Training Centre in Florida on 17 January, 2012, covering the distance in 53.44 seconds.
Though it wasn’t a brisk workout session, Animal Kingdom’s half mile was fastest among the 13 workers on the day, and his first since arriving in South Florida.
The Kentucky bred is trained by Graham Motion, and is currently training ahead of the Group 1, $10 million Dubai World Cup on 31 March, 2012, at Meydan race track.
The colt hasn’t raced since he finished sixth in the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes on 6 June, 2011, and would need a prep race before he goes to Dubai for the richest race in horse racing.
Out of mare Dalicia by Acatenango, Animal Kingdom, prior to the Dubai World Cup will start in the Grade 1 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap on 11 February, 2012, going over a distance of 1 1/8 miles on turf, a race that is exclusive for 4-year-old and above males.
Animal Kingdom got sidelined from racing after he incurred a hairline fracture in his left hock. He has been on the road to recovery ever since and now is ready to continue on the good work he had done last season.
He captured the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby last season for trainer Graham Motion, and the Grade 3 Vinery Racing Spiral Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs over the synthetic surface at about 1 1/8 miles on 26 March, 2011, under jockey A.Garcia.
Animal Kingdom downed the likes of Decisive Moment in second, and Twinspried in third, while he covered the distance in 1 minute and 52.32 seconds.
Animal Kingdom is expected to meet the likes of So You Think in the Dubai World Cup, and the heavy US contingent will be on its way to the U.A.E for the much anticipated event, as stable mate Toby’s Corner is lined up for the feature event at Meydan on 31 March.
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