There are many ways a great athlete can stamp their mark on a brilliant career. Michael Jordan's game winning shot against Utah to finnish his career solidified his name as arguably the greatest basketball player of all-time. When Muhammad Ali took the undefeated behemoth George Forman into the deep waters of the eighth round in Zaire and proceeded to knock him out, he could once again stake his claim as the 'greatest of all-time'. And after Joe Montana brought the 49's down field with no time outs to secure a win in Superbowl XXIII, no one questioned who they would want as their quarterback in the big situation. So as the field turned for home in the Dubai World Cup, and Animal Kingdom hooked Royal Delta to take the lead and eventually draw away from the world class field, one couldn't help but think that this was the defining moment for a brilliant horse who has had anything but a traditional rise to the top.
The 2011 Kentucky derby champ has flashed moments of his brilliance and versatility against a backdrop of injuries and bad luck. After a hard-closing second in the Preakness to Shackelford, many were eager to see what Animal Kingdom would do in the Belmont Stakes. As the horses broke from the gate, Animal Kingdom took a bad step and nearly tossed jockey J.R. Velazquez right off him. From there his chances of victory were virtually gone, yet he made a valid effort to get back into the race before tiring to finish somewhere mid-pack.
After the Belmont, bone scans revealed that Animal Kingdom suffered a small fissure near the cannon bone in the left front leg. After two screws were placed, trainer Graham Motion and owners' Team Valor decided to rest him up to run him as a four year old. After a long layoff the son of Leroidesanimaux, was to begin his 2012 season in a turf race at Gulfstream Park. In that race, Animal Kingdom showed what he can do when healthy, winning impressively with his powerful stretch kick. Unfortunately, he came out of that race with yet another injury, this time a fractured ilium, and once again he was put back on the shelf for rehabilitation. This time it was unknown whether we would see him run again, but as the year went on reports from the Motion camp began filtering out that he was showing good progress and would be ready for another chance to display his talents. However what wasn't expected was the fashion in which he did it. As not only a testament to Animal Kingdom, but the training skills of Graham Motion and his team, Animal Kingdoms' first race back was in the Breeders Cup Mile. No prep race, not even a G1 race, but the Breeders Cup Mile against some of the best in the world, including Wise Dan, the winner and eventual Horse of the Year. In that race, once again Animal Kingdom had to overcome traffic trouble in order get clear running room, but once he did he kicked like a shot. Unfortunately it was just short of victory, but he did impress in getting up for second, as handicapper and announcer Randy Moss would attest.
"It probably would be hyperbole to say that Animal Kingdom was the best horse. But i tell you what, he was a clear second best horse."
Fast forward to yesterday, March 30th half way across the world in the United Arab Emirates, with Joel Rosario in the irons, Graham Motion, and Team Valor watching on nervously for the start of the race. Animal Kingdom had an unfavorable draw of post 12. So when the gates opened it was important that Animal Kingdom use his tactical speed early in the race, rather than wait, and risk getting stuck in traffic. Needless to say he did, going four wide to clear the field and stalk the champion mare Royal Delta, until it was time to make his winning move. From that point on, the rest was history.
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