Animal Kingdom not a 'happy camper'

By: SPORTS NETWORK

Hallandale Beach, FL (Sports Network) - According to trainer Graham Motion, his 5-year-old trainee Animal Kingdom is "angry and hungry" after losing to Point of Entry in Saturday's Kitten's Joy Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap.

Animal Kingdom, owned by Team Valor, was the 4-5 favorite in the 1 1/8-mile grass stakes, but lost by 1 1/4-lengths to the Breeders' Cup Turf runner-up. It was Animal Kingdom's first start of the year after finishing second in the Breeders' Cup Mile.

"I thought it was a good run. I think Joel (jockey Joel Rosario) was worried the speed was a little slow, so he moved a little early, which cost us the race," Motion said Saturday. "It gave Point of Entry a chance to follow him. He was beaten by a very good horse under awkward circumstances.

"I think more than anything it caught him off guard for him to find himself in front so early. I think Animal Kingdom was surprised by that. Somebody who has ridden him and had more confidence in him might have been more patient with him. I think Joel was just anxious with the other riders going slowly and felt they should catch up, which confused the horse a little."

Animal Kingdom, the 2011 Kentucky Derby champ, is scheduled to start in the $10 million Dubai World Cup on March 30 while Point of Entry may go in the $5 million Sheema Classic on the card.