Animal Kingdom works toward Royal Ascot

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Trainer Graham Motion reported via Twitter that Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) winner Animal Kingdom completed a four-furlong gallop in :52 Thursday, May 9 at Lambourn.

Animal Kingdom, by Leroidesanimaux, is preparing for a start at Royal Ascot, most likely in the June 18 Queen Anne Stakes (Eng-I), a one-mile race. Team Valor and Arrowfield Stud’s Animal Kingdom also is entered in the 1 1/4-mile Prince of Wales Stakes (Eng-II)June 19 as an option.

In the World Thoroughbred Rankings for the first period, Nov. 1-April 28, Animal Kingdom ranks in a tie for third withGame On Dude behind Wise Dan and top-ranked Black Caviar. Four of the top six horses in the rankings followed by the trainer’s name are: United States.-trained in Wise Dan, Charlie LoPresti; Animal Kingdom, Motion; Game On Dude, Bob Baffert; and Fort Larned, Ian Wilkes. Fort Larned is tied for fifth with Japan-based Orfevre.