Pure Animal: Derby Winner on the Comeback Trail

re: Pure Animal: Derby Winner on the Comeback Trail

CHIEF PICAWINNA — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 21:29:22 GMT

The connections have chosen to run stone cold closer AK in the mile.If he wins his resume will improve drastically as a bloodhorse prospect.Won the Derby at three,won the Breeders Cup Mile without a prep at 4.Why not take a shot makes sense as an owner,as a Bettor he wont be getting my win money.Lets get closer to race time and see where he starts how the race shapes up on PAPER etc.I dont know if I would include him in exotic wagers yet.

re: Pure Animal: Derby Winner on the Comeback Trail

nickie — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 17:46:42 GMT

big fan of trainer & horse, owner sometimes gets wound up and needs a bigger lid, but AK does nothing but add to what appears on paper a showdown between 'Dan the Man, and Excelleration[sp?]...I hope he runs well, those tight tirns may prove his undoing to be in the picture for the top slot

re: Pure Animal: Derby Winner on the Comeback Trail

Karen in Texas — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 17:23:39 GMT

slee---The original injury was to the hock/cannon bone at their juncture. See the BH article.

www.bloodhorse.com/.../animal-kingdom-injured-to-miss-some-time

re: Pure Animal: Derby Winner on the Comeback Trail

Greg R — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 04:15:06 GMT

I feel much better about Animal Kingdom after seeing his last work at Keeneland. Oddly, the graphic/chart reported it as being on "firm" ground, but it was obviously soft. You could see the clods/divots being thrown up all over the place.

Going a mile on the sharp-turned turf course at Santa Anita, so much depends on racing luck. It's a risky race to bet. I rarely like a horse, no matter how good, off a long layoff. On the other hand, Wise Dan and Excelebration may be at the point of one race too many in the last few months, so pick your poison.

re: Pure Animal: Derby Winner on the Comeback Trail

Pedigree Ann — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 22:18:37 GMT

It is not unheard of for horses with majors wins over a distance of ground to cut back to a shorter race when they don't have time to prepare for their usual length of race. Precisionist winning the BC Sprint is one example. Animal Kingdom hasn't had time to get fit for a 10f race, so a mile race (especially if it is run at a quick pace early) is where he should be. Good luck to him.

re: Pure Animal: Derby Winner on the Comeback Trail

Dutch — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 22:06:34 GMT

Good article and excellent points. Animal Kingdom is a top class horse, and he has every right to run in, and win, the BC Mile. His workout was terrific, and I loved how his ears were pricked down the lane. He'll be facing some tough horses, but I won't be surprised to see him in the winner's circle.

re: Pure Animal: Derby Winner on the Comeback Trail

an ole railbird — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 21:10:51 GMT

on a given day, this horse (AK) has shown the talent to blow this field of horses ,away.

but, coming into this field of horses, off a layoff of this magnitude, it seems rather far fecthed.

having said that. it is very uncharateristic, of mr. motions to run him in this race.

i really expect a wild & crazy excata in this one.

dont be afraid to expermint in this one. a few "could happen", $2 dollar exata tickets, might pay a return, that will carry you through the winter.

stranger things have happened.

i remain "an ole railbird"

re: Pure Animal: Derby Winner on the Comeback Trail

slee — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 20:45:24 GMT

Could somebody refresh my memory, please? What injury did Animal Kingdom suffer in his Belmont in that horrible stumble early in the race?

Was it a hock?

thanks!

re: Pure Animal: Derby Winner on the Comeback Trail

greyghost — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 20:31:31 GMT

To count Animal Kingdom out is shortsighted folly. His connections have shown due diligence in plotting a course of action for their horses. They do not take their responsibility lightly and they are highly successful. It's a gutsy move but well thought out.

re: Pure Animal: Derby Winner on the Comeback Trail

CHIEF PICAWINNA — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 19:41:29 GMT

Motion along with Team Valor manage a large stable so eventhough I wouldnt bet on him to win, its worth a shot for the human connections who by the way will probably be shipping more horses than AK west for the weekend.

re: Pure Animal: Derby Winner on the Comeback Trail

Wrensflight — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 17:02:21 GMT

It would be interesting to know on what facts you based your remarks, rabbit. This is a horse with a classic pedigree and running style, as well as the drive to win. If he wins, it won't be so much a comeback but rather a return to where he belongs. I would enjoy seeing AK resume a successful career.

re: Pure Animal: Derby Winner on the Comeback Trail

Ribot — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 16:51:40 GMT

What a jaded comment.Think about it if it was just money there's much easier spots to try.It's pretty sad when so called racing fans take cheap shot's at connections who have proven themselves time again to only look out for there horses welfare. I don't think there's a trainer working today who I'd trust more then Graham Motion and if I ever had the chance to own a Thoroughbred I'd want Barry Irwin to represent me. I take it back it was a stupid comment to make

re: Pure Animal: Derby Winner on the Comeback Trail

from the gut — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 14:23:52 GMT

Animal Kingdom is anything but a beaten horse. With a clear lane he could run this field down and to suggest the connections flew out here for gloy and a small check is just not so.FYI comebacks do not start in the first week in november Good Luck AK RUN THEM DOWN

re: Pure Animal: Derby Winner on the Comeback Trail

CHIEF PICAWINNA — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 13:32:55 GMT

A lot of the bloggers will remember Da Hoss who had one race in two years before winning the 1998 mile.The difference is that Da Hoss had already won a Breeders Cup Mile.Announcer Tom Durkin yelled, "Oh, my, this is the greatest comeback since Lazarus. He's had one race in two years."Looking at this from a historical context and how Da Hoss came back I wont be betting on AK to win the Mile but its a story that some of the newer racefans will appreciate.

re: Pure Animal: Derby Winner on the Comeback Trail

quiet american — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 04:31:53 GMT

a beautiful horse..glad to see him racing as a 4 yr old. Would absolutely be great to see him have a winning comeback. He sure looks fit and ready to rumble.

re: Pure Animal: Derby Winner on the Comeback Trail

datflippinrabbit — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 00:45:32 GMT

They are in here for a comeback race hoping to pick up some cash for the experience if they're lucky,he's a beaten horse.