Breeders' Cup still in play for Forbidden Kingdom
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ARCADIA, Calif. – A Breeders’ Cup sprint race may be on Forbidden Kingdom’s schedule despite not having raced since April.
On Sunday, trainer Richard Mandella said the BC Sprint at six furlongs on dirt and the BC Turf Sprint at five furlongs are “both a thought” with the 5-year-old Forbidden Kingdom.
Mandella acknowledged that Forbidden Kingdom may not be selected to race, particularly for the BC Turf Sprint, which often draws a full field.
A three-time stakes winner on dirt and turf, Forbidden Kingdom has been plagued by foot issues this year, Mandella said.
Forbidden Kingdom has raced twice in the last year, winning the Grade 2 Joe Hernandez Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs on the flat turf course at Santa Anita last December, but finishing last of seven in the Kona Gold Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs on dirt at Santa Anita in April in his last start.
“When he’s good, he’s very good, and that’s the thing,” Mandella said.
Forbidden Kingdom, who is by American Pharoah, was sold for $310,000 to Pete Parrella’s Legacy Ranch of California at a Fasig-Tipton digital sale in May as a long-term stallion prospect in California.
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