Favored at 45 in what was likely his final start in America, 2011 Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom suddenly shot to the lead down the backside, but could not withstand the late surge of 21 Point of Entry, who ran past him late to win yesterday’s Grade 1, $300,000 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap by 1 ¼ lengths.
The final time for the 1 ¹/8 miles over a firm turf course in Hallandale Beach, Fla., was 1:47.
“I know Animal Kingdom well,” said Point of Entry’s jockey, John Velazquez, who rode Animal Kingdom in the Derby. “If he would have waited behind me, he probably would have beaten me from the quarterpole home. He made a move so big that he changed his style to my horse’s style, so it worked out tomy advantage.”
Both 5 year olds were making their first starts since finishing second in their respective Breeders’ Cup races on Nov. 3 at Santa Anita.
Animal Kingdom, whose career has been interrupted by injuries, will make his next start in the March 30 Dubai World Cup, then possibly run again at Royal Ascot in England before taking up stud duty in Australia this summer.
In the Gulfstream Park Turf, Point of Entry tracked the early pace set by Salto to the backside, when Animal Kingdom rushed up the rail under newrider Joel Rosario to take command. He put away Salto around the far turn and led by daylight at the top of the stretch, but Point of Entry came with a determined run under John Velazquez to wear him down inside the final furlong.
“It was quite a race,” said Point of Entry’s trainer, Shug McGaughey. “We had our tactics. I figured [Salto] would go to the lead, and I was hoping we’d break good and be laying second to him without pressing too much and try to make Animal Kingdom commit a little early.
“It was kind of fun to watch, even though I was leaning a little bit trying to get him in front going around the turn. We’re very pleased the way he came back, and to win a Grade 1 going a mile-and-an-eighth is another feather in his cap.”
ed,fountaine@nypost.com