Preakness: Motion pleased with Animal Kingdom's training since the Derby

FAIR HILL, Md. - Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom had a spirited 1 5/8-mile gallop over the Tapeta suface at the Fair Hill training center Wednesday morning.

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While owner Barry Irwin called the gallop routine and not as spectacular as his two previous mornings, Animal Kingdom certainly gave the indication that the Kentucky Derby did not take a lot out of the strapping chestnut colt.

“I'm pleasantly surprised with how he's handled it,” trainer Graham Motion said. “He really does seem to have come out of it very well.”

Animal Kingdom galloped along with nine other Motion-trained horses and before a large gathering of media.

Fortunately, the showers that have plagued the Northeast held off for the majority of the morning.

In other Preakness news, Edgar Prado has picked up the mount on Isn’t He Perfect.