Forbidden Kingdom is 'in good shape' for G2 San Vicente

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 at Santa Anita for 3-year-olds at seven furlongs.

“He grabbed a quarter in his last race,” trainer Richard Mandella said, alluding to the Bob Hope (G3) 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 on 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 Santa Anita Derby (G1) on April 9.

San Vicente is one of three stakes at Santa Anita Saturday and one of six next weekend.

With Horse of the Year favorite Knicks Go and the brilliant Life Is Good set to meet in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) 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 3:30 p.m. EST.

Complementing the San Vicente on Saturday are the $200,000 Palos Verdes Stakes (G3) at six furlongs for 4-year-olds and up and the $100,000 Megahertz Stakes (G3) at a mile on turf for older fillies and mares.

Sunday’s attractions are the $225,000 San Marcos Stakes (G2) for older horses at 1 1/4 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 1/2 furlongs on turf for 3-year-olds.