Lightly raced Leroidesanimaux colt
Animal Kingdom rallied from the back of the pack to wear down a stubborn Decisive Moment in Saturday's Grade 3 Vinery Racing Spiral Stakes at Turfway Park.
Post time favorite Positive Response went straight to the front but did not get a breather as Son of Posse and Decisive Moment hounded him through honest splits of :23.57, :46.56, and 1:12.57.
Decisive Moment poked his head in front at this point and set sail for the wire. Animal Kingdom worked his way into contention, angled out, and gradually pulled clear to post a 2-3/4 length victory under Alan Garcia.
The Graham Motion trainee, owned by Team Valor, picked up a large chunk of the $500,000 purse and has the necessary graded earnings to make the gate on the first Saturday in May.
Decisive Moment was clearly second best and has also amassed plenty of Derby earnings. Twinspired rallied to finish a clear 3rd and Beacombing rounded out the superfecta. Taptowne, Preachintothedevil, Son of Posse, Positive Response, Thirtyfirststreet, Glint, and Rescind The Trade comleted the order of finish.
The winner completed his nine furlong Polytrack journey in 1:52.32 and paid $8 as the second betting choice.