Gulfstream Park: Point of Entry bests Animal Kingdom in Turf Handicap

Point of Entry ended 2012 with a tough loss in the Breeders’ Cup Turf, but he started 2013 with a rousing victory over Animal Kingdom in the Grade 1, $300,000 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap on Saturday.

Two of the best horses in North America locked horns at the top of the stretch and finished with a furious run, going their last eighth-mile in about 11.29 seconds. Point of Entry was the one going better, though, pulling away from Animal Kingdom in the final half-furlong to win by about 1 1/4 lengths. Unbridled Command stayed on nicely to finish third.

Animal Kingdom was the subject of heavy win betting throughout the wagering, eventually drifting up to 4-5 at post time. Point of Entry, a tough-trip second to Little Mike in the BC Turf, went off at 2-1 and paid $6.20 to win. The winner was timed in 1:47 for 1 1/8 miles on a firm turf course.

It was a somewhat unusual trip for Animal Kingdom, who was being ridden for the first time by Joel Rosario. Fifth of six around the first turn, as Point of Entry raced closest to slow-pace-setting Salto, Animal Kingdom was given his head before the half-mile pole, moving sharply along the inside to wrest the lead from Salto. Salto countered, however, and Animal Kingdom found himself in a far-turn battle, stuck along the fence as Salto and Point of Entry stacked up outside him. Salto fell away as Animal Kingdom cornered nicely and took a brief lead at the top of the homestretch, but Point of Entry and jockey John Velazquez quickly attacked, pulling abreast of Animal Kingdom before taking his measure in deep stretch. Velazquez, ironically, rode Animal Kingdom to his Kentucky Derby win and had been his regular rider until the Breeders’ Cup Mile, in which he rode Wise Dan to a 1 1/2-length victory over Animal Kingdom.

The top two finishers both have designs on a trip to Dubai, with Point of Entry targeting the Sheema Classic over 1 1/2 miles on turf, and Animal Kingdom the $10 million Dubai World Cup on Polytrack. Saturday’s race was expected to be the last in North American for Animal Kingdom, who is scheduled to take up stallion duty in Australia this summer.