The 2011 Eclipse champion three-year-old male and Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner Animal Kingdom made a successful return to the races this afternoon at Gulfstream Park, bursting clear in the stretch to win a 1 1/16th miles allowance race on the turf in impressive fashion.
Ridden to victory by regular rider John Velazquez, Animal Kingdom broke just a step slowly and dropped back to last in the field of six as Royal Hill and Bell by the Ridge set a moderate pace of :23.17. and :49.44. They were being tracked along the rail by Tannersville and on the outside by Midnight Michief, while Monument Hill raced in fifth.
Moving down the backstretch Animal Kingdom made a bold run that moved him all the way up into the third position, less than a length off of the lead. But Royal Hill and Bell by the Ridge weren't quite ready to give up, and responded to the challenge posed by the champion by stepping up the pace and running three-quarters of a mile in 1:13.13.
Entering the homestretch Animal Kingdom moved up to take the lead from the pacesetters and set his sights on the finish line. Monument Hill was charging hard on the far outside and appeared briefly capable of challenging the champion, but Animal Kingdom turned him back and drew off late to score by about 2 1/2 lengths. The final time was 1:41.72.
Monument Hill finished clearly best of the rest, followed by Bell of the Ridge, Royal Hill, Tannersville, and Midnight Mischief.
Animal Kingdom is owned by Team Valor International and trained by Graham Motion. The $10 million Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) in late March is scheduled to be his next start.
-Keelerman
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