Forbidden Kingdom headed to Oaklawn for Whitmore Stakes
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ARCADIA, Calif. – Forbidden Kingdom, winner of three Grade 2 races at Santa Anita in the last two years, will race outside of California for the first time in the Grade 3 Whitmore Stakes on March 16 at Oaklawn Park, trainer Richard Mandella said Sunday.
The $250,000 Whitmore Stakes is run at six furlongs. Forbidden Kingdom has not raced since he won the Grade 2 Joe Hernandez Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs on turf Jan. 30, his first start since late May.
Mandella had considered Saturday’s Grade 3 Razorback Handicap at 1 1/16 miles at Oaklawn for the 5-year-old Forbidden Kingdom, but said the distance of the Whitmore had greater appeal.
“I was thinking of the Razorback, but it’s not enough time to go from a sprint to two turns,” Mandella said. “I like this better.”
Forbidden Kingdom races for Spendthrift Farm and the MyRacehorse partnership.
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With Forbidden Kingdom scheduled to run at Oaklawn, Mandella plans to leave Big City Lights at Santa Anita for an intended start in the Grade 2 San Carlos Stakes at seven furlongs on March 16.
Big City Lights won his third stakes, and first at the graded level, in the Grade 3 Palos Verdes Stakes at six furlongs on Feb. 10 at Santa Anita.
The 3-year-old filly Kopion, beaten for the first time in her career when second in the Grade 3 Las Virgenes Stakes at a mile for 3-year-old fillies on Feb. 10, is expected to have her next start in the Grade 2 Santa Anita Oaks on April 6.
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Mandella said he plans to skip the Grade 3 Santa Ysabel Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on March 3 with Kopion, who won her stakes debut in the Grade 3 Santa Ynez Stakes at seven furlongs on Jan. 7 at Santa Anita.
“I’ll give her a little time and point for the Santa Anita Oaks,” Mandella said. “I think it will be good for her.”
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