Absent from the races two months, Forbidden Kingdom, a $300,000 son of 2015 Triple Crown king American Pharoah, returns in Saturday's Grade 2, $200,000 San Vicente Stakes for 3-year-olds going seven furlongs at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif.
“He grabbed a quarter in his last race,” Richard Mandella said, alluding to the G3 Bob Hope at Del Mar on Nov. 14. “It was a bad one and it took a while to heal up, but he's back in good shape now.”
Forbidden Kingdom has been working smartly, as a bullet six furlong move in 1:12.40 at Santa Anita on Jan. 10 attests.
Bred by Spendthrift Farm which owns a share of the chestnut colt along with MyRacehorse, Forbidden Kingdom won his debut race at Del Mar last Aug. 21, then was third as the 9-5 favorite in the Speakeasy on turf at Santa Anita Oct. 1.
Forbidden Kingdom has had eventful trips in all three of his races, drifting out, getting bumped and stumbling, respectively.
Juan Hernandez, who has been aboard in all three starts, retains the mount.
The San Vicente is a race that could lead to the G1 Runhappy Santa Anita Derby on April 9.
San Vicente is one of three stakes Saturday and one of six next weekend at The Great Race Place.
With Horse of the Year favorite Knicks Go and the brilliant Life Is Good set to meet in the G1, $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational Saturday at Gulfstream Park, fans will be treated to a huge day of bicoastal racing at both Gulfstream in South Florida and at Santa Anita.
Ten graded stakes will be offered between the two venues with first live race post time for a nine-race program at Santa Anita 12:30 p.m. PT.
Complementing the San Vicente on Saturday are the G3, $200,000 Palos Verdes Stakes at six furlongs for 4-year-olds and up and the G3, $100,000 Megahertz Stakes at a mile on turf for older fillies and mares.
Sunday's attractions are the G2, $225,000 San Marcos Stakes for older horses at 1 ¼ miles on turf, and two $75,000 events, the Lady of Shamrock Stakes at a mile on turf for 3-year-old fillies and the Baffle Stakes at 6 ½ furlongs on turf for 3-year-olds.
The post Mandella Has Forbidden Kingdom Back On Track For San Vicente appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
