Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Queen Anne Snaps Animal Kingdom's Win Streak

Poor Animal Kingdom.  Today, he shortened his distance to a mile and tried to be the first Kentucky Derby winner to also win at Royal Ascot.  He was sent off as the crowd's betting favorite, but he could only finish eleventh.  Team Valor, the owners of Animal Kingdom, were planning on retiring the 5-year-old horse to stud after winning the Queen Anne Stakes today.  Trainer Graham Motion says that, even with the loss, today is probably Animal Kingdom's last.  Jockey John Velasquez said the turf course rode much softer than it walked.  Animal Kingdom fought with the jockey for the first half mile, and, when asked to run, had nothing left to give.  The winner of the race was Declaration of War, a son of War Front.
   The Colorado Wildfires:  The Black Forest fire has now destroyed 502 houses and damaged 18 others.  The fire is 85% contained.Fire and Sheriff's office officials warn people to expect the number of houses destroyed to slowly grow, as professionals make their way into areas that were not accessible earlier, due to the blaze.  ...  The Royal Gorge fire is 100% contained, and burned over 3,000 acres.  This weekend, the Royal Gorge Festival will be held as scheduled. ...  The Ward Gulch - Rifle Mountain Park fire is 85% contained, and the Park has re-opened to visitors.  ....  The Big Elk Meadows fire is 95% contained, and most trails are once again open on the western side of Rocky Mountain National Park.  ....  The Fern Lake fire is still small and uncontained in the back country of the Rampart Range.

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