HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. (AP) - Kentucky Derby champion Animal Kingdom won a $60,000 turf allowance race at Gulfstream Park on Saturday in his first start since June.
Last year's Eclipse Award champion 3-year-old moved in front during the turn into the homestretch and completed 1 1/16 miles in 1:41.72. Monument Hill finished second, two lengths ahead of Bell by the Ridge.
After winning the Derby, Animal Kingdom lost to Shackleford in the Preakness by a half-length. He finished sixth in the Belmont Stakes, and it was then discovered he had a fracture in his left hind leg that required surgery and sidelined him the rest of the year.
Animal Kingdom, who returned to training in October, received a warm welcome from crowd before the race and again when he moved into the winner's circle. This race was used as a tuneup for the colt's next race, which figures to be next month's $10 million dollar Dubai World Cup .
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2012 WorldNow and WAVE, a Raycom Media Station. 