Forbidden Kingdom back in training

ARCADIA, Calif. – Forbidden Kingdom, last of six as the even-money favorite in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby on April 9, recently resumed racetrack training after being sidelined with a swollen throat.

The illness was diagnosed after the loss in the Santa Anita Derby, which put an end to any plans for a start in a Triple Crown race for Forbidden Kingdom.

Forbidden Kingdom galloped on Sunday, and has done so for several days, trainer Richard Mandella said.

“It’s really good, good enough to train,” Mandella said of Forbidden Kingdom’s condition.

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Forbidden Kingdom won two Grade 2 races earlier this year – the San Vicente Stakes at seven furlongs in February and the San Felipe Stakes at 1 1/16 miles in March.

After the Santa Anita Derby setback, Forbidden Kingdom had been limited to walking at the barn.

By American Pharoah, Forbidden Kingdom has won 3 of 6 starts and earned $434,500, all for Spendthrift Farm and the My Racehorse syndicate.

Taiba and Messier, who finished 12th and 15th in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 7, are also galloping on a daily basis at Santa Anita, trainer Tim Yakteen said on Sunday.

Taiba and Messier were first and second in the Santa Anita Derby. They are not likely to race again until the summer.

“We’re going to wait,” Yakteen said. “We’ve got time to get them freshened.”

Yakteen mentioned two races at 1 1/8 miles – the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park on July 23 and the Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga on July 30 – as a possible return spot for Taiba or Messier, but said “nothing is etched in stone.”

The Yakteen stable may run Doppelganger or Newgrange in the Grade 3 Affirmed Stakes for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita on June 11.

Doppelganger, sixth in the Grade 2 Pat Day Mile at Churchill Downs on May 7, worked five furlongs in 59.80 seconds at Santa Anita on Sunday. Newgrange, sixth in the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park in his last start on Feb. 26, worked five furlongs in 1:02 at Santa Anita on Saturday.