The Team Valor International owned Animal Kingdom only has four career races to his credit, but he will attempt to tame the 1 1/4 miles track at Churchill Downs tomorrow afternoon. The chestnut colt, which is listed as a +2000 moneyline play in the latest 2011 Kentucky Derby Odds, will start the 137th Run for the Roses from post position 16.
Post position 16 has not produced a 
multitude of Kentucky Derby winners, but the draw, which went winless from 1920 to 1994, had a good run from 1995 to 2001 with Thunder Gulch, Charismatic, and Monarchos all taking the top spot out of gate 16.
Animal Kingdom, which was sired by Brazilian stallion Leroidesanimaux, has the distance chops in his pedigree to join that group tomorrow, but it remains to be seen how the horse will perform on a true dirt surface.
Animal Kingdom, who finished first in the Grade III Vinery Racing Spiral Stakes at Turfway Park on March 26th, turned in good breeze work last week at Churchill Downs, running six furlongs in 1:13.00.
That initial showing has some believing the three year old could be a factor in the 137th Run for the Roses. Count trainer Graham Motion among those who feel confident the horse will acquit himself well when the race gets underway tomorrow afternoon.
"A lot of riders have told me the grass horses seem to handle this surface better," Motion said. "For that reason, I was a little more confident than I might have been. [Animal Kingdom] is [also] a very good worker. That is why we are here, he is a very impressive animal."
Jockey John Velasquez will have Animal Kingdom's mount tomorrow. Velasquez, who was to ride the recently scratched Uncle Mo, will replace Robby Albarado in the saddle. Albarado suffered a broken nose earlier this week when he was thrown from Smoke'n Al.
Animal Kingdom 2011 Kentucky Derby Odds:
To Win +2000
To Finish in the Top Three +500
