Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Go Animal!

ANIMAL KINGDOM, 20-1 winner of the Derby, came out in good order, and is now the likely favorite for the Preakness. The Leroidesanimaux colt is feeling quite at home in his new Fair Hill surroundings, and will likely ship into Pimlico the morning of the race.

Animal Kingdom wins the Derby 5.07.2011. Photo: Matt Wooley/EquiSport Photos 1/1000 @ f/4, iso 1600, 300mm

Animal Kingdom wins the Derby 5.07.2011. Photo: Wendy Wooley1/1250 @ f/4.5, iso 1250, 500mm

The Kentucky Oaks was won by PLUM PRETTY.
Plum Pretty wind the Ky. Oaks. Photo: Matt Wooley/EquiSport Photos 1/3200 @ f/2.8, iso 800, 50mm

Overlooked in most early Derby lists, Animal Kingdom took a less traveled path to the Derby. He had only 4 career starts and his last race was 6 weeks prior, a winning effort in the Vinery Spiral Stakes.

Animal Kingdom wins the Vinery Spiral Stakes . Photo: Matt Wooley/EquiSport Photos 1/3200 @ f/3.5, iso 1600, 15mm

Animal Kingdom spent the days before the Derby training on the polytrack at Keeneland.

Animal Kingdom at Keeneland

Next stop, The Preakness Stakes! Go Animal!