Trainer Graham Motion set Champion Animal Kingdom down for the first time today at the Palm Meadows Training Center in Boynton Beach.

Prepping for his long-awaited return, which is expected to come on the grass at Gulfstream Park in a few weeks, the Kentucky Derby winner had breezed an easy :50.40 for four furlongs on Jan. 8, followed by another on the grass in :53.44 after shipping to Florida, on Jan. 17.

Today, the son of Leroidesanimaux was put to the test and worked five furlongs on the grass in :59.80, indicating he's close to being ready for his first try of 2012.