Last Saturday evening after 20-1 longshot; Animal Kingdom crossed the finish line in the 137th running of the Kentucky Derby , another one of many " Kentucky Derby myths" had been erased. Unfortunately though, it wasn't the one that I was counting out. With my selection of Midnight Interlude, I was counting on him to win the race and erase the "myth" of no horse without a start as a two year old, finally being victorious after 129 years of history. He finished "up the track", but Animal Kingdom, who had NEVER raced on "real" dirt, won the Run for the Roses. Both he and Master of Hounds had never raced on a pure dirt surface and both were at square odds. Even though I preferred Master of Hounds over Animal Kingdom with this angle, I placed a small wager on both at their price. In a 19 horse field where there was a few "underlays" like; Pants on Fire (8-1) and Twice the Appeal (11-1) because of the Calvin Borel "syndrome", there were other plays in the field worth a deuce or two. So, Animal Kingdom at these generous odds, was my "saver play" last Saturday evening.
It was quite a story on Saturday evening with this son of Leroidesanimaux; who was a stakes winner on grass up to a mile and an eighth and with German distance turf pedigree underneath on his dam's side, gave us an impressive winning effort on a new surface for a very classy veteran trainer. H. Graham Motion, English born trainer who is more noted for his thoroughbred runner's on grass like; Better Talk Now and Film Maker, endured quite a Kentucky Derby week. He had originally two horses entered for the Kentucky Derby , Animal Kingdom and Toby's Corner. The latter had won the Wood Memorial at Aqueduct and was consider a better prospect to win the Derby , than the eventual winner. But, a physical problem came up with Toby's Corner just a few days before the race and was forced to scratch. This was devastating to connections and left his trainer with a "longshot" that many gave little chance.
This was not the only twist going into last weekend's Derby . About the same time that Toby's Corner was being declared from the race, the regular rider of Animal Kingdom; Robby Albardo was seriously injured during a race at Churchill Downs . With the possibility of not being able to ride Animal Kingdom on Saturday and not riding any mounts the day before on the Kentucky Oaks card, the connections of Animal Kingdom had to look for another jockey. This paved the way for John Velazquez, who lost his mount when Uncle Mo scratched from the race on Friday morning. So, one of the leading jockeys in the country and without a Kentucky Derby victory after many mounts, gets a second chance which proves to be a winning one.
Animal Kingdom's victory was one of many stories and for a trainer and jockey who endured quite a eventful derby week. The owners of the colt; Team Valor International, a partnership of around 20 members is headed by Barry Irwin who has been involved in the sport many years, in different roles from turf writer to blood stock agent to the title he holds now for the past 23 years. He also had eventful appearance on national television shortly after his horse won the Derby , with comments he made about former trainers for his stable. But, that "over blown" issue will be left for the racing bogs and internet to discuss. That shouldn't take anything away for Animal Kingdom's Derby victory and making his trainer; Graham Motion, now an household name and getting John Velazquez his first Kentucky Derby win . It's onward to the Preakness in one week for these interesting connections.
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