Animal Kingdom in Preakness

Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom gets green light for Preakness

Animal Kingdom in Preakness.Though admittedly “shocked” that he won America’s most-famous race, trainer Graham Motion, a British expatriate, on Sunday morning had recovered enough to start focusing on the May 21 Preakness Stakes, which he said would be the next start for Animal Kingdom, the upset winner of Saturday’s 137th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

“I never anticipated winning the Derby, so it’s a lot to take in,” Motion said Sunday morning at Churchill Downs. “Yesterday was surreal.

“It’s an odd feeling to have won the Derby, and then you’ve got to start thinking about winning the Preakness. It’s a little daunting.”

Motion, though, was confident Animal Kingdom would perform well in the Derby, calling him a “brilliant horse.”

“I have a lot of confidence in this horse,” Motion said. “He’s the whole package. He has a tremendous disposition.”

Motion said Animal Kingdom would leave Churchill Downs on Tuesday, bound for the Fair Hill Training Center in Maryland, where Motion is based. He said he would send Animal Kingdom to Pimlico, the home of the Preakness, “probably as late as I can.”

There were 19 horses who ran in the Derby, and a large field seems likely for the Preakness, too. In addition to Animal Kingdom, Mucho Macho Man (third in the Derby) and Dialed In (eighth) are definite. Shackleford (fourth) and Santiva (sixth) are possible.

Horses who did not run in the Derby, but are expected for the Preakness, include Astrology, Concealed Identity, Dance City, Flashpoint, King Congie, Norman Asbjornson, Prime Cut, and Sway Away, and possibly Mr. Commons.
Source:www.drf.com/news

Animal Kingdom in Preakness

Animal Kingdom in Preakness

Animal Kingdom in Preakness. Animal Kingdom, the first Kentucky Derby winner who never raced before on dirt, will try to claim the second leg of US horse racing's Triple Crown on Saturday by winning the 136th Preakness.The three-year-old chestnut colt is a 2-1 betting favorite in a field of 14, the first full lineup for the Preakness since 2005, and English-born trainer Graham Motion likes Animal Kingdom's chances in starting from the No. 11 post.

"I couldn't be happier," Motion said. "I would rather be on the outside than stuck down on the inside."

Animal Kingdom will try to become the first horse since Affirmed in 1978 to complete the American treble sweep by sweeping the Derby, the 1 3/16-mile Preakness at Pimlico and the Belmont Stakes on June 11.

"I've followed this in years past and rooted just like anyone else for the Triple Crown horse," Motion said. "I don't want to get too far ahead of myself. We will deal with the Preakness first."

Jockey John Velazquez will be back aboard Animal Kingdom after winning his first Derby in 13 tries on the horse.

Not since Exterminator in 1918 has a horse won the Derby after so few career starts and not since Needles in 1956 has a horse won the Derby after a six-week layoff.

Animal Kingdom's rivals include Dialed In, the Derby favorite who finished eighth at Churchill Downs two weeks ago.

Dialed In was made second favorite at 9-2 and would collect a North American record $6.1 million payout if he wins the Preakness, thanks to a $5.5 million sponsor bonus from winning major Triple Crown tuneups the Florida Derby and Holy Bull Stakes.