Animal Kingdom & Point of Entry: The Showdown
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Forty years ahead of their time, the Electric Light Orchestra warned us all, “There’s gonna be a showdown.” Yes, ELO, you were right … we are, “Heading for a showdown.” On a collision course for Saturday’s Grade 1 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap since a pair of strong, but ultimately unsatisfying, second-place finishes in the Breeders’ Cup, Animal Kingdom and Point of Entry are a mere five days away from The Showdown in the Sunshine State.
Two of America’s finest horses, the pair will both be making their highly anticipated seasonal debuts in the nine furlong grass test at Gulfstream Park. Adding to the intrigue of the race is the likelihood of both five-year-old stars heading to Dubai after the Showdown, albeit in different races. But the Dubai World Cup and the Dubai Sheema Classic are still a little down the road, and trainers, Graham Motion and Shug McGaughey have their charges ready in the here and now. This terrific turf test is just a few tantalizing days away.
To the casual fan, Animal Kingdom is the better known of the pair, and for good reason. The Team Valor runner burst into the living room of millions of homes all over the world after striding home an impressive winner of the 2011 Kentucky Derby. Unfortunately, injury would keep him off the track after his solid Triple Crown run, and then again for much of last year. He did enough in his only two races of 2012 to capture everyone’s imagination, though. A rousing optional claimer win over this same Gulfstream course came early in the year. Comeback #2 was even more impressive, as he jumped straight into the fire of the Breeders’ Cup Mile without benefit of a prep. A fast charging runner-up to Horse of the Year, Wise Dan, following a trip besieged with traffic, left all who saw yearning for more from the Derby winner. Making Saturday’s Showdown just a little more special is the realization that this will be almost certainly Animal Kingdom’s last race in the United States. A deserving favorite on Saturday, things will not be made easy for his America farewell.
Simply stated, Point of Entry is a turf monster. The powerful bay son of Dynaformer was flying high as could be last fall on a five-race winning streak, including the grade one triumvirate of the Man o’ War, Sword Dancer and Joe Hirsch Turf Classic. In each of his five consecutive victories, he dominated his competition with disdainful ease. A cross-country trip to Santa Anita, though, would end his hopes for an Eclipse Award when he was surprised in the Breeders’ Cup Turf by the gutsy, Little Mike. He may not have had quite the trouble of Animal Kingdom in the Mile, but he also found himself bottled up at the wrong time. Finally clear to stretch his legs, he made up quick ground to miss catching the winner by only a half-length. This year, Point of Entry will be running for the home team at Gulfstream Park, as the main man at the Florida oval, Frank Stronach, has purchased a sizable interest in America’s top distance turf horse.
And just in case it sounds like I am previewing a match race, I would be remiss in not mentioning the excellent New York-bred, Unbridled Command, who is also expected to be part of the Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap field. By the end on 2012, there was no American 3yo grass horse going any better than him, as evidenced by his smart score in the grade 1 Hollywood Derby to finish the season. But let’s face it; this race is primarily about Animal Kingdom and Point of Entry. It is the race we all want to see. There’s gonna be a Showdown…
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