Forbidden Kingdom runs rivals ragged to lay down Kentucky Derby marker

Saturday: Santa Anita

San Felipe Stakes (Grade 2) | 3yo | 1m½f dirt

Forbidden Kingdom earned 50 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby when he ran six rivals off their feet at Santa Anita.

Veteran trainer Richard Mandella has run just six horses in the Derby and none since 2004, in part due to unfortunate circumstances, such as when Omaha Beach was scratched from the race in 2019 due to a throat issue. But the Hall of Fame trainer just might be returning to Churchill Downs this year with the talented son of American Pharoah.

Forbidden Kingdom threw down blazing splits before drawing away from the pack and coasting home by five and three-quarter lengths from Doppelganger. The even-money favourite was not asked to extend himself in the stretch by jockey Juan Hernandez and won with his ears pricked.

"I was anxious to see this race and see if he would get two turns," said Mandella, who notched his third San Felipe win. "He looked even better.

"I was a little nervous when I saw the time [of 45.90 secs] on the board for the first half. He just did what he likes to do."

Saturday: Gulfstream Park

Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes(Grade 2) | 3yo | 1m½f dirt

Simplification rebounded off a runner-up finish to White Abarrio in the Holy Bull Stakes with a commanding victory in the $400,000 Fasig-Tipton Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park.

Trained by Antonio Sano, Simplification needed a late charge to finish second last time out following a bad break from the gate. That was not the case this time under Jose Ortiz as the son of Not This Time notched his first Graded-stakes win in his first race around two turns.

"I liked the trip," Sano said of the Fountain of Youth performance. "I told Jose this morning, 'You don't need to run in the front. A good start is very important'."

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