Motion replicates feat

— Last year, Animal Kingdom won the Vinery Racing Spiral Stakes and then the Kentucky Derby in his next start for trainer Graham Motion and owner Team Valor.

Saturday, Motion and Team Valor took a big step toward repeating last year’s unexpected double.

Went the Day Well, ridden by John Velasquez defeated Holiday Promise by 3 1/2 lengths, winning the 1 1/8-mile race in 1:51.33.

Favored Heavy Breathing finished third, another length back.

“When Animal Kingdom won this race last year, he wasvery explosive, but this horse was a little explosive, too,” Motion said. “I hate to compare the two because they are such different horses.

“The beauty of this race is you have the option to run him one more time or not run one more time. Probably the only option is the Lexington Stakes.”

Went the Day Well picked up $282,000 in graded earnings with the victory, which should easily put him among the top 20 in graded earnings.

The Derby field is limited to 20 horses. If more than 20 enter, preference is given to those with most earnings in graded races.

“I feel confident telling you this horse will run in the Kentucky Derby,” Motion said.

Sports, Pages 30 on 03/25/2012

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