ANIMAL KINGDOM PROGRESSING

Team Valor International’s champion Animal Kingdom (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}), winner of the 2011 GI Kentucky Derby, is progressing well towards an intended fall comeback. The chestnut, who was also second in last year’s GI Preakness S., sustained a stress fracture to his left hind leg this spring while preparing for an intended tilt at the $10-million G1 Dubai World Cup. According to Team Valor Chief Executive Officer Barry Irwin, the 4-year-old colt has been galloping a mile and a hal at Fair Hill Training Center, and is likely about two weeks away from his first breeze. Irwin noted that a plan is in place for Animal Kingdom’s comeback race but that it will not be revealed until the colt is certain to
make the race. Deanli Stud foaled, raised and offered the 2011 Derby winner in their 2009 Keeneland September consignment for breeder Team Valor.