They say imitation is the most sincere form of flattery. If so, Went the Day Well gave 2011 Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom a definite compliment on Saturday. A year after Animal Kingdom won the Vinery Racing Spiral Stakes at Turfway Park for owner Team Valor International and trainer Graham Motion as a Kentucky Derby prep race, Went the Day Well won the race by 3 ½ lengths.

The same connections – Team Valor International, trainer Graham motion and jockey John Velasquez shared the winners circle. There is one addition to the mix, Mark Ford is part owner.

“I was very impressed with him,” Motion said. “Apart from a little greenness [in the stretch] he couldn’t have been better. When Animal Kingdom won this race last year, he was very explosive, but this horse was a little explosive, too. I hate to compare the two because they are such different horses.”

The winner’s share should guarantee Went the Day Well a spot in the Kentucky Derby, which is restricted to 20 starters with preference determined by earnings in graded stakes.

“The beauty of [the timing of] this race is you have the option to run him one more time or not run him one more time. Probably the only option [if he does run] is the Lexington Stakes,” Motion said. “I feel confident telling you this horse will run in the Kentucky Derby.”

Went the Day Well had a dream trip under John Velazquez, racing within a few lengths of a fast pace set by Heavy Breathing while saving ground just off the rail. Went the Day went three paths wide rounding the turn to challenge for the lead near the quarter pole. He dueled with Heavy Breathing, ridden by Javier Castellano, and Holiday Promise while racing somewhat greenly in the lane. But Went the Day Well exerted his presence past mid-stretch to win impressively.

Barry Irwin, President of Team Valor said that Went the Day Well could well need another start before the Derby. “He’s a good horse but he’s not all mentally there yet. We ran him back in three weeks. Based on what (jockey John Velazquez) said, we might run him one more time. He wants to run a mile and a quarter. That’s for sure.”

Motion said the Coolmore Lexington Stakes on April 21 is “probably the only option” for Went the Day Well if he is to run again before the Derby.

One thing Kentucky Derby Tours is sure about – this group knows how to get their 2012 Kentucky Derby tickets and keep their horse in shape up to the Kentucky Derby. Kentucky Derby Tours wonders if there will be a replay for them at the 2012 Kentucky Derby?