Animal Kingdom drills for Dubai World Cup

Animal Kingdom, the Kentucky Derby-winning champion three-year-old colt of

2011, took to the Palm Meadows turf on Monday to prepare for his engagement in

the Group 1 Dubai World Cup on March 30. Clockers credited him with a

six-furlong move, around the "dogs," in 1:14 3/5.

Trainer Graham

Motion, however, tweeted that the Team Valor International runner actually

worked five furlongs in 1:02 and galloped out the extra furlong.

Animal Kingdom's five-eighths time matches up with the day's bullet for the

distance, turned in by Tyro winner Rip Roarin Ritchie, who was caught in

1:02.04. That was officially the best of 23 five-furlong trials on the firm

course.

"One down, two to go," Motion said, referring to his work schedule ahead of

the Dubai World Cup.

Animal Kingdom was returning to the worktab for the first time since his

runner-up effort to Point of Entry in the Grade 1 Gulfstream Park Turf on

February 9. Two starts ago, the son of Leroidesanimaux was a hard-charging

second to Horse of the Year Wise Dan in the November 3 Breeders' Cup Mile, in

his comeback from an eight-month layoff.

Set to retire to stud at Australia's Arrowfield for the Southern Hemisphere

breeding season later this year, Animal Kingdom is expected to have a maximum of

two more starts, both abroad.

The World Cup will mark his first race on a synthetic surface in two years,

since his victory in the Grade 3 Spiral at Turfway that launched him into the

Kentucky Derby. His swan song could come back on turf at Royal Ascot, with the

Group 1 Prince of Wales's on June 19 the likeliest spot.

Further updates and videos of Animal Kingdom are available via his special

website, animal-kingdom.com.au.

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