Animal Kingdom team back for another Derby try

The Animal Kingdom team, winners of last year's Derby, are back for another try with Went the Day Well.

Owner Barry Irwin, trainer Graham Motion and jockey John Velazquez are banking on an equipment change as the winning edge in the repeat bid. Went the Day Well, winner of two straight including the Spiral Stakes at Turfway Park, will wear blinkers for the first time in the Derby.

Blinkers restrict the field of vision, helping some horses concentrate better.

"When Johnny worked him last week at Keeneland, he really didn't want to go away from the other horse," Motion said. "Johnny and I talked about it and he gave me the confidence to try it. I really think it's the right move."

While Went the Day Well has been training at Churchill Downs, Motion was in Maryland at the Fair Hill Training Center. He is slated to arrive in Louisville on Tuesday to supervise the colt's final preparations.