Forbidden Kingdom misses scheduled work due to a fever

Forbidden Kingdom, a top Kentucky Derby prospect for trainer Richard Mandella, had to miss a scheduled work on Friday after having a mild fever a day earlier. 

The Hall of Fame conditioner told Santa Anita publicity that Forbidden Kingdom "had a slight temperature" late Thursday morning, but "it's down today and his bloodwork is good. We're hoping it passes quickly."

In a text message to Horse Racing Nation, Mandella said it would be the middle of next week at the earliest before Forbidden Kingdom would breeze. 

"He's been very good other than one day of temperature," he added. 

[Related: Forbidden Kingdom has Mandella on the Derby path]

Forbidden Kingdom earned a spot in the Kentucky Derby when picking up 50 qualifying points in a gate-to-wire victory in the March 5 San Felipe (G2) at Santa Anita. At 1 1/16 miles, the San Felipe was Forbidden Kingdom's first time going two turns.

The scheduled work on Friday was to be Forbidden Kingdom's first since the San Felipe. There are now 22 days until the son of American Pharoah out of Just Louise, by Five Star Day, will try and carry his speed even farther in the 1 1/8-miles Santa Anita Derby (G1) on April 9.

In that 170-point Derby qualifier, he is expected to meet another top 3-year-old in Messier for trainer Bob Baffert. 

Owned by Spendthrift Farm and My Racehorse, Forbidden Kingdom was a $300,000 auction purchase as a yearling. With a record of 5: 3-1-1 and earnings of $434,000, Forbidden Kingdom is the current Kentucky Derby futures book favorite in Nevada with a best price of 10-1.