Horse Racing

Animal Kingdom gets Rosario for Dubai World Cup

 

The Sports Network

Although criticized for his ride aboard Animal Kingdom in last month's Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap, Joel Rosario will be in the saddle when the 2011 Kentucky Derby champ starts in the Dubai World Cup on March 30.

"I've never been a big believer of taking riders off horses just because they make one mistake," trainer Graham Motion said. "It's not a science. Sometimes it takes an experience like that to get to know a horse better. I think all riders are open to making the odd mistake."

Owned by Team Valor, Animal Kingdom was second behind Point of Entry in his first start since finishing second in the Breeders' Cup Mile to Wise Dan last November at Santa Anita. Rosario had never before ridden the 5-year-old in a race.

"I'd like to think it gave him a really good, solid race under his belt. He seems like he's sharper and perhaps a little more focused," Motion said about Animal Kingdom. "His works since then have been good. I'd like to think that put him right where we wanted him to be."

Along with the 2011 Run for the Roses, Animal Kingdom also won the Spiral Stakes and was second in that year's Preakness Stakes.

Read more Horse Racing stories from the Miami Herald

  •  

Preakness Stakes entrant Itsmyluckyday gets frisky as exercise rider Peter Shelton takes him to track at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore on May 17, 2013 in Baltimore. At right is trainer Eddie Plesa Jr., who is based out of Calder Casino & Race Course.

    Calder notebook

    Close It Out heads into Champali Stakes

    The consistent sprint stakes veteran Close It Out and the speedy stakes newcomer Wickersheim head the field for Saturday’s $55,000 Champali Stakes at Calder Casino & Race Course.

  •  

Spectators mill about near the track at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Saturday, May 18, 2013, before the Preakness Stakes horse race.

    No Triple Crown: Oxbow upsets Orb at Preakness

    Right from the start, a horse trained by one not so over-the-hill Hall of Famer and ridden by another took control of the Preakness. The result: a huge upset and the end of any hopes for a Triple Crown attempt at the Belmont Stakes.

  •  

CORRECTS SPELLING OF LAST NAME TO BAFFERT, NOT BAFFORD - Fiftyshadesofhay trainer Bob Baffert points at winning jockey Joel Rosario after winning the Black-Eyed Susan horse race at Pimlico Race Course, Friday, May 17, 2013, in Baltimore. The 138th Preakness Stakes horse race takes place Saturday.

    Orb trainer McGaughey fights nerves at Preakness

    Early Saturday morning, Shug McGaughey was walking back and forth in front of the stakes barn at Pimlico.

Get your Miami Heat Fan Gear!

Join the
Discussion

The Miami Herald is pleased to provide this opportunity to share information, experiences and observations about what's in the news. Some of the comments may be reprinted elsewhere on the site or in the newspaper. We encourage lively, open debate on the issues of the day, and ask that you refrain from profanity, hate speech, personal comments and remarks that are off point. Thank you for taking the time to offer your thoughts.

The Miami Herald uses Facebook's commenting system. You need to log in with a Facebook account in order to comment. If you have questions about commenting with your Facebook account, click here.

Have a news tip? You can send it anonymously. Click here to send us your tip - or - consider joining the Public Insight Network and become a source for The Miami Herald and el Nuevo Herald.

Hide Comments

This affects comments on all stories.

Cancel OK

  • Videos

  • Quick Job Search

Enter Keyword(s) Enter City Select a State Select a Category