It's been a slow 2023 for the Richard Mandella trainee with only a pair of starts to his name and none since a weakening fourth in the GII Triple Bend S. May 27. In fact, the chestnut hasn't graced the winner's circle after a race since his victory on the Triple Crown trail in 2022's rendition of the GII San Felipe S.

The wagering public seemed to have their doubts as well, sending Forbidden Kingdom off at 4-1 facing a full field of 12 though notably only one runner who had contested this race in 2022. Started from the chute in a race that was meant to come down the hill, Forbidden Kingdom showed that early turn of foot from the middle of the gate and set right out to control the tempo with pressure to his outside by longshot Dancing Buck (War Dancer). The chestnut was under a tight hold through moderate fractions of :23.99 and :48.19 and, as the top pair swung off the turn together, it appeared for a moment as though Dancing Buck would outsprint his rival home. But Forbidden Kingdom turned back that challenge with a game run along the fence and refused to be headed again, opening up a minor advantage on the line.

“I always thought that he would like the grass but when I ran him as a two year old on it, he didn't do that good,” admitted Mandella. “He didn't know what he was doing back then. We've also been on kind of a losing streak with him a while, so my confidence level was not great. He's always trained like a really good horse and he is a really good horse. He fought an intestinal problem a year ago and it took I'm a while to get over it. I think now we are back in the game.”

#4 FORBIDDEN KINGDOM ($10.60) is victorious in his return, taking the $200,000 Joe Hernandez Stakes (G2) for trainer Richard Mandella and jockey Flavien Prat. The 4YO son of American Pharoah (@coolmoreamerica) picks up his third graded victory. pic.twitter.com/l20mXdA0LQ

— TVG (@TVG) December 30, 2023

Pedigree Note:

A $300,000 Fasig-Tipton Selected Yearling, Forbidden Kingdom is one of four winners for his graded-stakes winning dam and one of 41 stakes winners for Triple Crown hero American Pharoah. Just Louise, who last passed through the auction ring in 2013's FTKNOV sale in foal to Malibu Moon for just $150,000, is a half to MGSW and $550,000 2-year-old purchase Sara Louise (Malibu Moon), herself the dam of GSW Sara Street (Street Sense) and recent 'TDN Rising Star' Nash (Medaglia d'Oro). Juse Louise has an unraced 2-year-old filly by Not This Time and reported a full-sister to Forbidden Kingdom before returning to Not This Time for 2024.

Saturday, Santa Anita Park
JOE HERNANDEZ S.-GII, $203,500, Santa Anita, 12-30, 3yo/up, 6 1/2fT, 1:14.92, gd.
1–FORBIDDEN KINGDOM, 121, c, 4, by American Pharoah
1st Dam: Just Louise (GSW), by Five Star Day
2nd Dam: Kings Lynn, by Mt. Livermore
3rd Dam: Til Forbid, by Temperence Hill
($300,000 Ylg '20 FTKSEL). O-MyRacehorse and Spendthrift
Farm LLC; B-Springhouse Farm (KY); T-Richard E. Mandella;
J-Flavien Prat. $120,000. Lifetime Record: GISP, 12-4-3-2,
$679,500. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style
pedigree.
2–Dancing Buck, 121, g, 5, War Dancer–Frivolous Buck, by
Catienus. O-J and N Stables and Diamond M Stable; B-J & N
Stables LLC (NY); T-Richard E. Dutrow, Jr.. $40,000.
3–Turn On The Jets (Ire), 121, g, 4, Mehmas (Ire)–Chiclet (Ire),
by Dandy Man (Ire). 1ST GRADED BLACK TYPE. O-Benowitz
Family Trust, CYBT, Michael Nentwig and Ray Pagano; B-Mr. D.
Byrne (IRE); T-Philip D'Amato. $24,000.
Margins: HF, 1 3/4, NK. Odds: 4.30, 13.50, 6.60.
Also Ran: Daniel's Magic, I'm A Gambler (Ire), Balnikhov (Ire), Lucky Score, Tahoe Sunrise, Johnny Podres, Front Run the Fed, Olympic Runner, Peaceful Waters. Scratched: Lovesick Blues.
Click for the Equibase.com chart and the TJCIS.com PPs.
VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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A step slow on debut May 11 beneath the Twin Spires, she showed a good turn of foot in the lane to run down rivals for a neck win over an experienced rival. Brushing with Living Magic after leaving the blocks, she was urged along to keep pace from the outside of rivals and went as far as four wide into the final bend. Gaining ground steadily to launch her bid coming up on the quarter pole, Closing Act took the lead in upper stretch and shook away under a right-hand stick into the final furlong. It was 3 1/4 lengths back to pacesetter Union Suit and Living Magic came on from the back to round out the trifecta.

“She made a few mistakes first time out and we told Irad [Ortiz, Jr.] that we thought she'd be more forwardly placed and more professional, and she was,” said Scott Blasi, Steve Asmussen's assistant. “She got a lot out of her first race. Super proud of her today. She's really gone through a growth spurt this month and she's filling out and looks beautiful.”

A Texas-bred daughter of Munnings, the victress is the most recent to the races thus far for Evening Show, who also counts a yearling filly by Competitive Edge to her tally. That dam hails from the female line of Tuesday Evening (Nodouble), who herself produced GISP Madame Pandit (Wild Again).

Said daughter would go on to tally GISW Mea Domina (Dance Brightly) and GSP Ivory Empress (Seeking the Gold), who would gain her fame via 'TDN Rising Star' MGSW McCraken (Ghostzapper); GISP & MGSW Four Graces (Majesticperfection); 'TDN Rising Star' GSP With Dignity (Declaration of War); and MGSP Bondurant (War Front). This is the extended family of GISP & MGSW Greek Sun. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

ASTORIA S., $145,500, Belmont, 6-11, 2yo, f, 5 1/2f, 1:06.59, ft.
1–CLOSING ACT, 122, f, 2, by Munnings
          1st Dam: Evening Show (SP, $237,664), by Master Command
          2nd Dam: Good Evening, by Dixieland Heat
          3rd Dam: Tuesday Evening, by Nodouble
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O/B-Douglas Scharbauer (TX); T-Steven Asmussen; J-Irad Ortiz, Jr.. $82,500. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $124,500.
2–Union Suit, 122, f, 2, Union Rags–Ojai, by Verrazano. ($9,000 Ylg '22 KEEJAN). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Madaket Stables LLC and Highlight Thoroughbreds; B-Farfellow Farms Ltd. & W. S. Farish (KY); T-H. Graham Motion. $30,000.
3–Living Magic, 122, f, 2, Justify–Living The Life (Ire), by Footstepsinthesand (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O/B-HnR Nothhaft Horseracing LLC (KY); T-Phil Schoenthal. $18,000.
Margins: 3 1/4, 1HF, 4HF. Odds: 0.70, 3.95, 10.90.
Also Ran: Golden Ghost (GB), Donate Life. Scratched: Low Mileage.

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“I told Juan to go in a minute and change and out [seven-eighths] in 1:26, and that's what he did,” trainer John Sadler said. “Juan's a great work rider. It was not about going fast today, just getting around there happy today.”

Flightline arrived at Keeneland Sunday from his Santa Anita home base.

“He's had a good week and gotten settled in, and the track is a little similar to Del Mar,” Sadler said, noting that Flightline's schedule for next week will include returning to the track to jog Monday, gallop Tuesday through Friday and not go to the track the morning of the Classic.

Life Is Good Tops Pletcher Workers

Classic contender and 'TDN Rising Star' Life Is Good (Into Mischief) worked five furlongs in 1:00.60 on his own at Keeneland Saturday with fractions of :12, :24.60, :49, 1:00.60 then out six furlongs in 1:13.20, seven-eighths in 1:25.80 and the mile in 1:39.80.

“He is a superior work horse,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “Today was typical of what we have seen his whole career.”

Pletcher is confident his charge will get the 10-furlong distance this time after a failed effort in the G1 Dubai World Cup.

“He is hard to pull up at the end [of his workouts],” the conditioner said. “We are eager to run on a real track not like in Dubai, which was really deep that night. I think that played against him.”

Pletcher's other Classic pre-entrant Happy Saver (Super Saver) had what the trainer called a “spirited gallop” in lieu of a timed breeze.

“We let him two-minute clip the whole way around,” Pletcher said. “We are going to do similar to what we did before the [GI Met Mile]: just one breeze two weeks out. He tends to run better when he is fresh. He'll have a few more strong gallops. He won't breeze again.”

Also working this morning on the main track for Pletcher were GI Breeders' Cup Distaff runners Nest (Curlin) and Malathaat (Curlin). In company with recent maiden winner Inventing (Union Rags), Nest worked a half-mile in :50.40. Malathaat worked a half-mile in :49.60 with the 3-year-old maiden Old Point (Curlin).

Working on the grass together were GI Shadwell Mile winner Annapolis GI (Mile) and GII Pilgrim S. victor Major Dude (GI Juvenile Turf), who were timed in :50.40 for a half-mile.

Charlie Puts in Final Classic Prep

Gutsy GII Lukas Classic winner Hot Rod Charlie (Oxbow) also had his final breeze ahead of the BC Classic Saturday in Lexington, going six panels in company in 1:12.80.

“He looked good and I got him in 1:12 4/5,” trainer Doug O'Neill said.

Other O'Neill BC workers included Awake At Midnyte (Nyquist) (5f, 1:01.20, Distaff), Slow Down Andy (Nyquist) (5f, 1:00.40, GI Dirt Mile), Vegas Magic (Good Magic) (5f, 1:02.20, GI Juvenile Fillies) and Sharp Aza Tack (Sharp Azteca) (5f, 1:01 on the training track, GI Juvenile Turf Sprint).

Brown Breezes BC Contingent

Jack Christopher | Coady

Trainer Chad Brown sent out a dozen of his Breeders' Cup pre-entrants, with seven working on the dirt and five on the turf at Keeneland Saturday.

Working a half-mile on the dirt were MGISW Jack Christopher (Munnings) (:48.60, GI Sprint or Dirt Mile), Goodnight Olive (Ghostzapper) (:47.80, GI Filly and Mare Sprint), Blazing Sevens (Good Magic) (:47.20, GI Juvenile) and working in company I'm Very Busy (Cloud Computing) and Oxymore (Astern {Aus}) (:49.60 Juvenile Turf).

Working five furlongs on the dirt were Search Results (Flatter) (1:01.20, Distaff) and Pipeline (Speightstown) (1:01, Dirt Mile).

On the turf, which was rated as good, were Regal Glory (Animal Kingdom) (4f, :49.80, Mile) in company with Rougir (Fr) (Territories {Ire}) (4f, :49.80, GI Filly and Mare Turf), In Italian (GB) (4f, :50.80, Filly and Mare Turf) and Virginia Joy (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) (5f, 1:02.60, Filly and Mare Turf) in company with Domestic Spending (GB) (Kingman {GB}) (5f, 1:02.60, Mile).

“We did great,” a beaming Brown said following the works.

Other Keeneland BC Workers Saturday

On the main track were Kimari (Munnings) (5f, 1:01.40, Sprint or Filly and Mare Sprint) and Chi Town Lady (Verrazano) (5f, 1:01.80, Filly and Mare Sprint) in company for Wesley Ward; Willy Boi (Uncaptured) (4f, :49.20, Sprint) for trainer Jorge Delgado and Simplification (Not This Time) (5f, 1:00.40, Dirt Mile) for Antonio Sano.

Working on the turf course were Reckoning Force (Air Force Blue) (4f, :50.40, Juvenile Turf) and Cazadero (Street Sense) (4f, :50.40, Turf Sprint) for Brendan Walsh; Arrest Me Red (Pioneerof the Nile) (5f, 1:03.60, Turf Sprint) and Campanelle (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) (5f, 1:03.80, Turf Sprint) for Wesley Ward; Private Creed (Jimmy Creed) (3f, :39, Juvenile Turf Sprint) for Steve Asmussen; Tyler's Tribe (Sharp Azteca) (3f, :38.20, Juvenile Turf Sprint) for Tim Martin and Caravel (Mizzen Mast) (4f, :51, Turf Sprint) for Brad Cox.

BC Workers at Churchill Downs

MGISW Cyberknife (Gun Runner) put in his final work for the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile at Churchill Downs Saturday, covering five furlongs in :59 flat. With regular rider Florent Geroux in the saddle, Cyberknife started his work about two lengths behind stablemate Forza Di Oro (Speightstown) and finished even at the completion of his work.

“With a week out from the Breeders' Cup it was the right move we wanted to see,” trainer Brad Cox said. “Both of these horses are really good work horses and I think matching up Cyberknife with him he'd get a lot out of his work. We ended up choosing to run in the Dirt Mile instead of the [GI Breeders' Cup] Classic because we thought it would be the most likely race he could win. The Classic came up a very deep field and even though Cyberknife is going to cut back in distance we feel he can handle the two-turn mile at Keeneland.”

Cox also worked GI Breeders' Cup F/M Sprint contender Lady Rocket (Tale of the Cat). She went five furlongs in 1:00.60 outside 3-year-old filly Girl With a Dream (Practial Joke). Cyberknife and Lady Rocket, along with Cox juveniles Chop Chop (City of Light) and Verifying (Justify), are scheduled to ship to Keeneland Monday.

Also on the Churchill worktab Saturday was GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint runner Casa Creed (Jimmy Creed), who went a half-mile in :47.80 outside of a stablemate.

Taiba Has Final Classic Work at Santa Anita

GI Runhappy Santa Anita Derby winner Taiba (Gun Runner) had his final major workout for the Breeders' Cup Classic Saturday, going six furlongs at Santa Anita this morning in 1:13 flat under Juan Ochoa in company with Messier (Empire Maker), who was also clocked in 1:13.

“He went well,” trainer Bob Baffert said. “He's not a great work horse, so he went with Messier. I was happy with it. He'll ship tonight for Kentucky].”

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With Gabriel Lagunes in the irons for trainer Eric Reed, the chestnut broke off in :26.20 and completed his work in 1:02.60 before galloping out three-quarters of a mile in 1:15.60.

“Slow and steady,” Reed said of Rich Strike, a latest near-miss second to Hot Rod Charlie (Oxbow) in the GII Lukas Classic at Churchill Downs Oct. 1. “I don't want to get him too sharp too soon. I got what I wanted this morning, and he'll get back to work Thursday with a jog or light gallop. I just have to keep him on the ground for the next 11-12 days.

“I was going to work Wednesday, but with rain in the forecast there was a chance that if I did not work today, I might not be able to go until maybe Friday,” Reed added. “He's a couple days ahead of schedule, so I may have to come back with a little three-eighths [next week].”

GI @KentuckyDerby winner RICH STRIKE comes by on @keenelandracing's main track in his final work ahead of his start in the GI Longines @BreedersCup Classic! #BC22 pic.twitter.com/4zM17e2f1Q

— TDN (@theTDN) October 25, 2022

Edgeway Works For Sadler, Flightline Gallops

It was another light piece of work for 'TDN Rising Star' Flightline (Tapit) Tuesday, as the untested 4-year-old colt galloped a mile and a quarter over the Keeneland main track shortly after the track opened, but stablemate Edgeway (Competitive Edge) was asked for something a bit more, as she drilled a half-mile in :46 flat following the renovation break. It was the fastest of 18 moves at the distance.

The Hronis Racing colorbearer, who will look to improve on her runner-up effort to Ce Ce (Elusive Quality) in last year's GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, was put through her paces by Juan Leyva and went in fractions of :23.40 and :34.20 before pulling up five furlongs in :58.60.

“She went real nice this morning and got over the track well,” said Leyva, himself a winner of the Filly & Mare Sprint when defeating the Sadler-trained Switch (Quiet American) aboard 20-1 Musical Romance (Concorde's Tune) back in 2011. “The track was nice and tight. She will probably work again Monday.”

Sprint Rivals Sharpen Up

Aloha West (Hard Spun) and Jackie's Warrior (Maclean's Music), first and sixth, respectively, in last year's GI Breeders' Cup Sprint at Del Mar, tuned up for their rematch with works at Keeneland Tuesday morning.

Last seen narrowly prevailing in the July 2 Kelly's Landing S. at Churchill, Maryland-bred Aloha West went a sharp five-eighths of a mile in a bullet :58.60 (1/6) and galloped out six furlongs in 1:12.40. A couple of hours earlier, Jackie's Warrior worked inside of his stablemate County Final (Oxbow) and went five furlongs in :58.60 in fractional times of :24, :35.60 and :46.60 before pulling up six furlongs in a strong 1:12 flat.

JACKIE'S WARRIOR (inside), working in company with County Final, puts in his final work ahead of the GI @BreedersCup Sprint! #BC22 pic.twitter.com/DTgsEwJ679

— TDN (@theTDN) October 25, 2022

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That Arkansas-bred rival took five tries to break his maiden, finally doing so against other locals in Hot Springs Mar. 26. He romped in the state-bred Rainbow S. there Apr. 9 and took the Bachelor just three weeks later.

Old Homestead (Overanalyze) looks to take his record to a perfect four-for-four in this event. Earning his diploma by 11 1/2 lengths at Delta Downs in January, the bay captured an allowance there next out Mar. 4. He took his show on the road and proved he could success at a top venue with a win in Keeneland's Lafayette S. Apr. 8.

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“He had to run a little harder than we were hoping for,” trainer Greg Foley said. “He got banged around a little out of the gate. I don't know how much he loved it on the inside there.”

Now 8-3-1-1 with earnings of $320,224, all three of O Besos' wins have come at Fair Grounds with Brian Hernandez Jr. riding.

“We got that under his belt,” Foley said. “He looked great this morning, licked his tub, he didn't act like it took anything out of him. The horse looks amazing. He's put on 150 pounds of muscle in the right places. I couldn't be any happier with the way he looks.”

After the Kentucky Derby, O Besos ran second in the Matt Winn (G3) at Churchill Downs on May 29, 2021. Winning at 1 1/16 miles off the bench on Sunday, his connections are now considering their options for his next start.

“I just got to figure out what this horse really wants to do,” Foley said. “I'm not so sure he is a true long-distance horse. He might be a monster going seven-eighths or a one-turn mile.”

Speaking of past Kentucky Derby horses, Foley and his team are also weighing their options for Lloyd Madison Farms, IV's Major Fed, who was last seen finishing fifth in the locally run Tenacious Stakes the day after Christmas.

“Might be the same speech,” Foley said. “He could be great at one-turn. Other than that, all his brothers and sisters were really good turf horses, too, so we might stick him on the grass next time.”

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The popular wager begins at 3:34 ET with Laurel's seventh race and a low 12-percent takeout.

The first leg of the sequence is a six-furlong claiming event for 3-year-olds and up with a wide-open 11-horse field and a tepid 7-2 favorite in Gale Winds, who drops from $16,000 to $10,000 for trainer John Robb. While Gale Winds breaks from the rail, Petion Night will make his first start since May of 2019 while breaking from the 11 post for trainer Gary Contessa. Mutakaamil goes out first time for trainer Kieron Magee after being claimed from a maiden victory at Delaware.

Gulfstream's eighth race, an allowance optional claimer at six furlongs for fillies and mares, is up next with 12-time winner Liza Star breaking from the rail for trainer Jose Garoffalo. Leading trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. will send out Naughty Shirley, second last time out to multiple stakes winner Choose Joy.

Laurel's eighth race, the third leg of the sequence, is a starter allowance at six furlongs for 3-year-olds and up. His Name Is Sue is the 5-2 favorite off a second-place finish last out against $16,000 claimers. Powerful Ally ships in from Parx for trainer Carlos Caban. Mystic Times enters off a ninth in the Maryland Million Starter Handicap.

The action heads to Golden Gate Fields for the fourth leg of the sequence. Golden Gate's second race features $16,000 claimers, 3-year-olds and up and has a 7-5 favorite in Battle of Memphis, a winner last out Sept. 19 on the turf. Harbor Kitty enters the race off a third-place finish last out, missing by a head against starter allowance company.

The Stronach 5 ends with Gulfstream's ninth race, a $20,000 claiming event at a mile and 70-yard event for fillies and mares. Divine Exchange will seek her third consecutive victory and first at Gulfstream after winning two at Belterra over the summer. Chantal Sutherland gets the ride. Lady Jae goes out first time off the claim for Victor Barboza after winning on the distance and surface last time out. Edwin Gonzalez has been named to ride. Alba's Star drops in class for Steve Klesaris and jockey Edgard Zayas.

Friday's races and sequence

Leg One –Laurel Race 7: (11 entries, 6 furlongs) 3:34 ET, 12:34 PT
Leg Two –Gulfstream Race 8: (7 entries, 6 furlongs) 3:53 ET, 12:53 PT
Leg Three –Laurel Race 8: (8 entries, 6 furlongs) 4:02 ET, 1:02 PT
Leg Four – Golden Gate Race 2: (8 entries, 6 furlongs) 4:18 ET, 1:18 PT
Leg Five –Gulfstream Race 9: (9 entries, mile and 70 yards) 4:23 ET, 1:23 PT

Fans can watch and wager on the action at 1/ST.COM/BET as well as stream all the action in English and Spanish at LaurelPark.com, SantaAnita.com, GulfstreamPark.com, and GoldenGateFields.com.

The minimum wager on the multi-race, multi-track Stronach 5 is $1. If there are no tickets with five winners, the entire pool will be carried over to the next Friday.

If a change in racing surface is made after the wagering closes, each selection on any ticket will be considered a winning selection. If a betting interest is scratched, that selection will be substituted with the favorite in the win pool when wagering closes.

The Maryland Jockey Club serves as host of the Stronach 5.

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Dr. Brian Nielsen has conducted multiple studies funded by the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Foundation regarding bone mass and his findings have been consistent – and surprising. Though horses kept in stalls may be muscularly strong, their bones may be weak. Bone mass and strength can begin dissipating in as little as two weeks.

Though living outside 24/7 isn't a necessity to healthy bones, the ability to sprint is. A study of Nielsen's out of Michigan State University involved long yearlings kept on pasture that had normal bone growth. Half the horses were  put in stalls and walked on a walker for an hour every day. The other half remained living outside.

The researchers monitored the horses' bone mass and discovered that horses living in the pastures continued to increase cannon bone mass, but the stalled horses had an immediate drop in bone mass which persisted for the next three months.

The horses then began under-saddle training as 2-year-olds. During their two months of walking, trotting and cantering under saddle, their cannon bones were monitored. The exercise was not enough to cause an increase in stalled horses' bone mass. Bone mass in the stalled horses decreased to the point where it was less than when the study began.

More studies found that sprinting – short, intense running sessions – was key to healthy bone that increased in mass. Horses must have the ability to sprint on their own or while in training, or they will lose bone mass.

Sprinting exerts force on the bone and causes it to bend, encouraging the body to lay down more bone and make the bones stronger. If horses are not allowed to sprint and their bones are prevented from bending, the body will actually take up minerals, believing the bones are strong enough for the work being asked of them.

For horses that are engaged in high-impact activities like racing and jumping, keeping horses in stalls may contribute to injuries as the horses lose bone mass. Additional research shows that adult horses who are stalled also experience bone loss.

Read more at AQHA.

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The seven-furlong main track test goes as the 10th race Saturday with a 4:31 p.m. post time.

Whitmore, winner of the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) last fall at Keeneland to earn champion sprinter honors for 2020, will be making his third start in the Churchill Downs. He was fourth in 2018 and fifth in 2019 that marked his most recent start at Churchill Downs. Whitmore will exit post nine and be ridden by Ricardo Santana Jr.

Among the challengers to Whitmore is two-time Grade 1 winner Mind Control. Trained by Gregg Sacco, Mind Control returned from a 3 ½-month layoff with a runner-up finish in the Carter Handicap (G1) on April 3 to begin his 2021 campaign. Irad Ortiz Jr. has the mount and will leave post two.

The field for the Churchill Downs, with riders and weights from the rail out, is:

1. Phat Man (Javier Castellano, 118 pounds)
2. Mind Control (Irad Ortiz Jr., 118)
3. Basin (Jose Ortiz, 118)
4. Flagstaff (Luis Saez, 118)
5. Tap It to Win (John Velazquez, 118)
6. Attachment Rate (Joe Talamo, 118)
7. Shashashakemeup (Florent Geroux, 118)
8. Get the Prize (Miguel Mena, 118)
9. Whitmore (Ricardo Santana Jr., 123)
10. Bango (Marcelino Pedroza Jr., 118)
11. Hog Creek Hustle (Corey Lanerie, 118)
12. Endorsed (Joel Rosario, 118)
13. Lexitonian (Tyler Gaffalione, 118)

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“He came out of the race in great shape,” said Bhupat Seemar, assistant trainer to Satish Seemar. “For us, that was only his first run–he was with Doug (Watson) before and obviously Steve Asmussen before that–so I can only say what we've seen from him and he's been very good in the mornings at Zabeel (Stables). He's a superb horse in the mornings and a flamboyant galloper. Mickael Barzalona galloped (breezed) him Monday morning and he was really happy with him. He will ride him in Saudi.”

Last year, the same connections entered Gladiator King–also fresh of G3 success in Dubai–to finish a respectable third in this. Gladiator King was astern Switzerland last out, obviously needing the run, but never seriously challenging his banner-mate when the real running commenced.

“I hope he travels well and everything just goes according to plan,” Seemar continued. “I think there are some tough horses in there, but I really like how Switzerland is doing. The really tough ones could be the Japanese, especially Matera Sky, who is very quick and a class horse. He was second in it last year and was second here in the (G1 Dubai Golden) Shaheen. He's fast and will be on the lead, so if he's let loose, he'll be tough to peg back.”

Strategy will definitely be paramount for the chocolate-brown Switzerland. Quick enough to go to the front, he showed a new dimension when stalking wide and free of sand last out. If he wishes for a replay of that scenario, the post position will be of utmost importance. The barrier draw takes place on Wednesday.

“One thing he doesn't want is cover,” Seemar explained. “If you look at all his winning races in America, he was always on the lead and didn't face a lot of kickback. He tried it here a couple times–to take back behind horses–and it just didn't work out for him. If they're going really fast on the lead, he can hopefully lay off them out of the kickback and come running again like he did at Meydan. The draw is obviously important, as well. I would like to be in the first four somewhere early.”

Having a live contender once again on Saudi Cup Day is quite an accomplishment for UAE's reigning champion training yard, proving once again that Dubai's premier horses can stack up against some of the very best in the world. Maintaining such company remains the goal after Saudi, as well, as Switzerland will surely be turning his watch ahead to Dubai World Cup Day and the $1.5 million Dubai Golden Shaheen.

Seemar: “We've been kind of lucky to be in this position. Last year, we had North America in the Saudi Cup and Gladiator King in the (Riyadh) Sprint, who was arguably the best sprinter in Dubai at the time. He got bumped in the race, which I think cost him second place, but he ran really well. The good thing is we've been there once and we know the script. We know what to do and what not to do, so we feel like we are in with a good chance with Switzerland.”

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