Animal Kingdom has settled nicely into his new Team Valor barn at Fair Hill and we now know his travel plans. He will arrive in Baltimore on Friday, the day before the Preakness. The draw for post positions is on Wednesday at which point we will know the rest of the field.
The race is limited to 14 starters and it is likely that there will be a full house to give the Derby winner a run for his money. At the moment, we know that Derby contenders Mucho Macho Man, Nehro, Shackleford, Santiva and Dialed In will be entered. Likely newcomers include, King Congie--with Animal Kingdom's former jockey Robbie Albarado aboard--Astrology, Dance City, Flashpoint, Norman Asbjornson, Mr. Commons and Ruler on Ice.
Dialed In is gunning for a $5 million bonus, the largest payoff in North American racing history. The bonus, sponsored by MI Developments, would be awarded to the winner of the Preakness who also won the Holy bull and the Florida Derby (that would be Dialed In.)
As for trainer Motion, well he seems very confident in his horse. "Mucho Macho man and Shackleford are going to be very tough," he told the AP. "A couple of the new shooters look very imposing but I don't think I'd want to trade with any of them right now."
In a way, the pressure is on but it isn't. Yes, it would be amazing to have a Triple Crown winner which hasn't happened since 1978. But regardless of how Animal Kingdom fares at Pimlico, he will always be a Kentucky Derby winner.
Not too shabby. . .
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