Ticker
  • Wise Dan targets the G2 Firecracker 'Cap at Churchill on June 29.  Posted 5 hours ago
  • Jockey Chantal Sutherland will return to saddle at Del Mar. Posted 13 hours ago
  • Itsmyluckyday to skip Belmont Stakes 2013 in favor of Pegasus Stakes on 6-16.  Posted 13 hours ago
  • Rosie Napravnik will ride Code West in Belmont Stakes 2013. Posted 13 hours ago
  • From DRF (The Inside Post): Mylute will not run in Belmont Stakes 2013. Posted 1 day ago
  • Eblouissante breezed 4f :49.17 (18/44) at Belmont (dirt Training) on 5-22. Posted 1 day ago
  • Giant Finish will make his next start in Belmont Stakes 2013. Posted 1 day ago
  • Unlimited Budget is expected to face males in Belmont Stakes 2013. Posted 3 days ago
  • Verrazano will make his next start in the Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth on 6-16. Posted 3 days ago
  • Dreaming of Julia will make her next start in the Mother Goose at Belmont on 6-22. Posted 3 days ago
Home / News / Animal Kingdom headed to the Breeders' Cup Mile

Animal Kingdom headed to the Breeders' Cup Mile

  • teamvalor.com
  • I'm a fan
    My Favorite
  • October 02, 2012 7:36 AM
Animal Kingdom wins on the Gulfstream Turf
Animal Kingdom will return in the $2-million Breeders’ Cup Mile on the turf at Santa Anita Park on November 3 with a chance to become the first Kentucky Derby winner to go on to Breeders Cup glory since Unbridled in 1990.
 
The reigning champion 3-year-old male of 2011 scored an easy turf win on February 18 at Gulfstream Park in his only start this year. He developed a stress fracture of the illium 3 weeks later that knocked him out of the $6-million Dubai World Cup.
 
The injury did not require surgery and  healed with 30 days of stall rest. Animal Kingdom resumed training in June and began breezing on August 21.  Over the summer, trainer Graham Motion suggested the Mile as a viable  option if the 4-year-old colt encountered no setbacks. Team Valor CEO Barry Irwin agreed, but he and Motion decided to not reveal the plan until Animal Kingdom showed in his training that the race was a reasonable goal.  
Read More

 

Animal Kingdom  |  Team Valor International  |  Breeders' Cup Mile  |  Breeders' Cup Mile (2012)

What the Nation is saying about Animal Kingdom headed to the Breeders' Cup Mile...

Foolish move thinking they will win, but a logical step to returning to champion form. I would never bet for a horse to win after an 8mo. layoff (with not even one prep.) in the best and most challenging turf mile race of the year.
A mile on turf is going to be tough but not impossible, I'm sticking with my original idea of him needing more distance, maybe they will cross enter him?
Is he going to run without Lasix? I though I saw that Team Valor was in a group of owners that pledged to run their horses without any medication, although it might be only 2 years olds.
If he won a graded stakes this year or a Breeders Cup Challange race I'd have no problem with him in the race.
I think he needs more than a mile
Ready for the reaction of "too much too soon?" Well if this one goes that is what you'll see.
This entry will get a lot of discussion started for sure.
I for one can not wait to see his return. He's one of my favorites of the last few years, that's for sure.
Some people just aren't happy with anything. I agree with ajump. Apparently winning the KD, running one hell of a race in the Preakness and 2nd to one of the grittiest thoroughbreds in recent years, and running an awesome race in the Belmont despite falling to his knees and nearly losing his jockey isn't enough. The horse could grow wings and there would still be people saying stupid crap about him.
jmac500, is winning the Kentucky Derby not good enough under your standards? I dare you to name me 14 other milers that will both try to get into this race and are more deserving to get into this race.
I don't think he should be allowed to just be placed in the race, he should have to earn it.
Makes sense, keep him on a surface that's easy on a horse rather than the dirt where he's had recurring injuries. He fits in there in my opinion as a 4yo he should be something if fit.
Let the second guessing comence.
-->

Related Pages

Related Stories