ANIMAL KINGDOM : HE CAN'T WIN THE TRIPLE CROWN...

Click above to watch Animal Kingdom working at Belmont Park
(Image and Footage : NYRA)

BELMONT STAKES
11 June 2011

But as consolations go, Animal Kingdom is the only 3 year old in America, who can come out of Saturday’s third leg, the Belmont Stakes (Gr1) with a one-two-one record.

The Belmont carries some sentiment for Summerhill, one-time home to a former hero in Coastal, the horse that ruined the Triple Crown aspirations of an American legend, Spectacular Bid.

This weekend’s renewal also carries some sentiment, as the favourite is owned by Team Valor, long time clients of the farm, and whose principal, Barry Irwin, secured us our seats for Animal Kingdom’s big day in the Kentucky Derby.

The Thoroughbred Daily News reports that Team Valor’s GI Kentucky Derby hero and GI Preakness Stakes runner-up Animal Kingdom (Leroidesanimaux) arrived at Belmont from his home base at Fair Hill Sunday morning without incident and galloped an easy 1½ miles about an hour later. He will reside in a stall in trainer David Donk’s barn while he prepares for Saturday’s GI Belmont Stakes. “He looked great and shipped fine, cool as a cucumber as usual,” said David Rock, assistant trainer to Graham Motion. “He is a very laid-back horse, so we wouldn’t expect anything else, really. We are excited for the Belmont. You gotta be here. If you are doing good, you’re here. Unfortunately we didn’t win the last one, but we’re looking forward to a rematch (with Shackleford) and there are some other real horses in the race as well.”