Animal Kingdom wins first race after injury

Staff report

HALLANDALE BEACH, FLA.

The Daily Racing Form reports that the first word out of trainer Graham Motion’s mouth after his Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom cruised to an easy win launching his comeback in Saturday’s fifth race at Gulfstream Park was “exhale.” For the rest, it was “Wow!”

Animal Kingdom, ridden by John Velazquez, won his first start in eight months by two lengths and will move on to the Dubai World Cup. Youngstown businessman Bruce Zoldan is part of Team Valor that owns the Derby winner that was injured after a rough start of the Belmont Stakes last June.

Making his first start since his eventful trip eight months earlier in the Belmont Stakes, Animal Kingdom turned in a powerful and very professional performance rallying from last before surging away from Monument Hill through the final furlong to register a two-length victory under jockey John Velazquez.

Motion was using the high-priced optional claiming race on the turf as a stepping-stone for Animal Kingdom’s next start on March 31 in the $10 million Dubai World Cup.

“I would have been disappointed if he didn’t win today,” said Motion, who admitted to being extremely nervous going into the race. “This was the best thing for us. He needed a race, now we have six weeks to take a breath and re-group.

“Now we can take our time and get him to Dubai the right way. He’s come a long way since October when he went back into training.”