Animal Kingdom launched a sweeping move on the final turn, then overtook Decisive Moment in the stretch en route to an about 2 1/2-length victory in the Grade 3, $500,000 Vinery Spiral on Saturday at Turfway Park.
King Congie will be scratched as the second morning-line choice from Saturday’s Vinery Racing Spiral Stakes at Turfway Park after incurring a strained hind leg during a routine gallop Friday morning.
Astrology will make his first start of the year when he faces 10 others in Sunday's Grade 3, $800,000 Sunland Park Derby.
Add Bowman’s Causeway’s name to the short list of 3-year-olds eyeing the $ 1 million Florida Derby. Trainer Patrick Biancone confirmed on Friday morning his intentions to start Bowman’s Cause in next Sunday’s Grade 1 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park.
Given a choice, Barry Irwin might have preferred that Animal Kingdom and Crimson China switch places on the Saturday program at Turfway Park. But due to eligibility criteria, Animal Kingdom runs in the $500,000 Vinery Racing Spiral Stakes while Crimson China settles for a berth in the $100,000 Rushaway Stakes on the undercard.
Riveting Reason, second in the Grade 2 Robert Lewis Stakes in February in his most recent start, has been turned out for the spring with a hoof injury, according to Maria Ayala, assistant to owner-trainer Myung Kwon Cho.
Astrology, Elite Alex, and Flashpoint are the three new additions to this week’s top 20 of Derby Watch. All are 30-1 on the Kentucky Derby future line set by Mike Watchmaker, Daily Racing Form’s national handicapper.
