Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom is recuperating from surgery to repair a hairline slab fracture of his left hind leg, suffered June 11 in Belmont Stakes, according to a release from his owners, Team Valor International.

Dr. Dean Richardson performed the operation June 30.

“The leg would have healed on its own,” Richardson said, “but by using [two] screws, we have a more reliable, consistent time schedule for healing.”

Richardson said he is optimistic Animal Kingdom can return to the same level of performance. The 3-year-old colt can return to training in 90 days.

ed.fountaine@nypost.com