Animal Kingdom is a beast in Dubai World Cup

When Royal Delta began to come under pressure on the far turn, Animal Kingdom

was still racing well within himself. Rosario turned him loose swinging for

home, and the 2011 Kentucky Derby winner responded with alacrity. Animal Kingdom

drew off and established an insurmountable advantage. Although Red Cadeaux made

eye-catching late progress to reduce the deficit, the race was essentially over.

Animal Kingdom was still two lengths clear at the wire while completing about

1 1/4 miles on Tapeta in 2:03 1/5. The son of Leroidesanimaux joins Hall of

Famer Silver Charm (1997-98) as the only Kentucky Derby winners to claim the

Dubai World Cup.

"He's an extraordinary animal," Motion marveled. "The way he won tonight

reminded me of the way he won the Kentucky Derby."

"It's unbelievable," a beaming Rosario said.

"I've never been here before -- this is my first time," the winning

rider noted. "I

watched a lot of races. I had an idea where I needed to go from. I listened to

my trainer and to my horse. He's a very good horse. He did it. He's very quick.

It seemed like a long way home in the stretch."

Although Americans could take justifiable pride in one of their own,

Australia had the honor of hearing her national anthem played during the trophy

presentation. The change of official nationality reflects his future home at

Arrowfield, where the five-year-old will enter stud later this year.

Jockey Gerald Mosse paid tribute to runner-up Red Cadeaux.

Meandre, morning-line favorite Hunter's Light, Treasure Beach, Kassiano,

Royal Delta, Dullahan and the distanced Capponi comprised the remainder.

"He (Hunter's Light) had every chance," jockey Silvestre de Sousa said. "He

just wasn't good enough at this level even though he was a Group 1 winner here

last time. This was a better race and he was a bit one-paced."

Royal Delta and Dullahan didn't produce their characteristic efforts.

"My trip was good -- she just didn't seem to care for it," jockey Mike Smith

said of Royal Delta's feeling on the Tapeta. "Every time she had to pick it up,

she struggled. After four or five passed her, we were pretty much done -- then

we just got home safe."

"(Dullahan) was traveling sweet -- jumped out good," Gary Stevens recapped.

"I was a bit closer than I thought I was going to be. He was doing it under his

own power. I got him out down the backside. I loved where he was at. Three

furlongs out, for whatever reason, he just shut it down. He pulled up great

underneath me but he was, I don't want to say distressed, but worn out. He was

really struggling the last two furlongs."

Animal Kingdom's $6 million payday increased his earnings to $8,387,500, and

his resume reads 11-5-5-0. Successful in the Grade 3 Spiral over Turfway Park's

Polytrack in his stakes debut, the chestnut went on to take the 137th Run for

the Roses in his first dirt attempt. Animal Kingdom fell a half-length shy of

catching Shackleford in the 2011 Preakness, but was wiped out early in the

Belmont Stakes when hampered and clipping heels. He was capable of finishing the

race in sixth, the only time he has been out of the top two in his career.

Animal Kingdom was subsequently diagnosed with a slab fracture in his left hind

leg that required season-ending surgery. He had done enough to win the Eclipse

Award as champion three-year-old colt in a squeaker over Caleb's Posse.

Targeting the 2012 Dubai World Cup, Animal Kingdom made a winning return in a

turf allowance at Gulfstream, and he was full steam ahead for Meydan.

Unfortunately, he developed the beginning of a stress fracture in his left hind

leg, an injury described as unrelated to his Belmont fracture.

Off for nearly eight months, Animal Kingdom came back in an audacious spot,

the November 3 Breeders' Cup Mile. Short of room at a crucial stage in the

stretch, he extricated himself too late and had to settle for second to Horse of

the Year Wise Dan. Animal Kingdom made the second start of his comeback in the

aforementioned Gulfstream Park Turf on February 9. With Rosario aboard for the

first time, he exploded earlier than usual nearing the far turn, and ended up

being outkicked late by Point of Entry.

Animal Kingdom could theoretically race once more at Royal Ascot in June

before retiring in time for the Southern Hemisphere breeding season.

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