It’s ‘Animal Kingdom’ Time [VIDEO]

With the 1 and 3/16 mile Preakness coming up May 21 the three year old will challenge himself to gain that title. The Belmont Stakes race, 1 1/2 miles long, is June 11.

The jockey who rode Animal Kingdom in the derby, John Valazquez, was supposed to ride Uncle Mo who was pulled from the Kentucky Derby because of an intestinal infection. When Uncle Mo was declared not able to run, it threw the race wide open. And as fate would have it, Animal Kingdom owner, Barry Irwin, pulled Animal Kingdom's original jockey from the race after being hurt in a fall and Valazquez got the gig. Irwin told Columnist Jerry Izenberg of the  New Jersey Star Ledger, "...We've made some history, and I like making history. It means something to me. I started writing a book once, and I guess I'm going to have to write the damn book now." With the jockey switcheroo it'll add a nice chapter to his book.  Funny how things work out, huh? Here's the action Saturday. Enjoy!