2011 Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom trained by H. Graham Motion will run in the Breeders’ Cup Mile on Saturday, November 3rd at Santa Anita Park. The Breeders’ Cup races on Saturday will be shown on NBC Sports and NBC.

“I’d be afraid to do it with some horses, but he’s just got such a remarkable attitude,” Motion said of Animal Kingdom. “It’s a big challenge but really everything has gone without a hiccup. For fear of jinxing myself, he hasn’t missed a work, he hasn’t missed a week. If anything had gotten in the way, I wouldn’t have done this, but he’s gotten us here.

“He’s the best horse I’ve ever trained, and it’s a great opportunity to take a shot in this race.”

In the past 15 months, Team Valor Internatinal’s champion has made a total of two starts because of a hairline fracture and a stress fracture. There is precedence for what Animal Kingdom is attempting by running in the BC Mile. In one of the more remarkable editions of the Mile, Da Hoss, winner of the 1996 race, returned after having just one prep in the two years before his 1998 win.

Horses of exceptional quality can make the impossible materialize. During his eight career starts, with a classic triumph and wins over all three surfaces on his résumé, Animal Kingdom has convinced those around him he fits the bill.

“He was always a big, strong horse, but now he’s even bigger and stronger,” Motion said. “I think mentally and physically he has grown up. I think he’s an exceptional horse, and that’s why we’re doing something that’s a little out of the ordinary I guess.”

Animal Kingdom will start from Post Position 5 with Rafael Bejarano aboard. John Velasquez who won the 2011 Kentucky Derby aboard Animal Kingdom had committed to ride the favorite in the race, Wise Dan. Post Positions, Horses, jockeys, trainers and morning odds are below.

If you would like to see more photos of Animal Kingdom – See Kentucky Derby Tours website at www.kentuckyderbytours.com click on Photos and look at 2011.

Breeders’ Cup Mile (gr. IT) Nov. 3 at 4:40 PM PDT

Post Horse Jockey Trainer Odds
1 Mr. Commons, Brice Blanc, John A. Shirreffs 12-1
2 Wise Dan, John Velazquez, Charles Lopresti 9-5
3 Obviously, Joe Talamo, Mike R. Mitchell 6-1
4 Jeranimo, Garrett Gomez, Mike Pender 15-1
5 Animal Kingdom, Rafael Bejarano, H. Graham Motion 8-1
6 Excelebration, Joseph O’Brien, Aidan P. O’Brien 2-1
7 Willcox Inn, James Graham, Michael Stidham 30-1
8 Suggestive Boy, Mike Smith. Ronald L. McAnally 15-1
9 Moonlight Cloud, Thierry Jarnet, Freddy Head 6-1