Coach Richard Mandella was denied a shot in his first Kentucky Derby win of 2019 when morning favorites, Omaha Beach, were scratched three days before the race because of a respiratory condition.
But the 71-year-old Hall of Famer could get another shot at the glorious Derby this spring, judging by the Forbidden Kingdom’s victory at the hands of jockey Juan Hernandez in the $200,000 San Vicente Class II Fair. dollars at Santa Anita on Saturday.
The long-haired San Vicente 7 pitch was at the very moment the gates opened as Forbidden Kingdom, son of Pharoah, 2015 Triple Crown winner, leapt into the lead and created brilliant distances 21.86, 44, 49 and 1:09.31 en route to a 2 1 / 4-time win in a race won by Kentucky Derby winners such as Nyquist (2016), Silver Charm (1997) and Majestic Prince ( 1969).
The final time was quick with 1:22.75 on a main track that was played slowly for most of the match as the Forbidden Kingdom was quick, 7-2 third pick in the bet , won the second of four starts after a second-ranked third-place Messier Bob Hope Stakes at Del Mar on Nov.
Mandella said: “He was lightning fast when they arrived. “In his last race he tore a piece of his foot (after tripping at the head) and then we had a 1/4 crack. We had to fix it and it’s fine and we hope it’s still good. ”
Mandella didn’t hesitate when asked what could happen next for the budding prominence, saying it will likely start in the 1/16-mile San Felipe Level II Area on March 5 in Santa Anita. This will be his first attempt about two turns.
“We’re going to have to try two turns down the road here,” he said. “He has gotten better at everything. He was very professional today, everything went well. He used to have a bit of ant in the gate. He tripped a few times. “
Forbidden Kingdom had to defeat a trio of 3-year-olds trained by Bob Baffert to get the job done, but none of them seriously threatened the winner at any point. Del Mar Futurity winner Pinehurst finished second, ahead of McLaren Vale.
Doppelganger, the 4-5th favorite team, registered in fourth place.
“He has a lot of speed and sometimes he just runs away, but today he was a little bit different horse,” Hernandez said. “Looks like he’s gotten a bit more settled, so that’s helped a lot. I felt in the fourth column there were other horses rushing from behind so I just patted him on the shoulder and I felt the way he responded. He never stops.”
Shares Palos Verdes
Essential Wager, second pick 9-5 behind favorite Cezanne 3-5, gave Baffert a $200,000 Class III sprint win when he parried 20-1 Long-range Shotgun neck while running 6 heats in 1:09.95 under the guidance of Abel Cedillo. It was one of Cedillo’s three winners on the card.
Cezanne, entering the 3rd Kona Gold Stakes for the first time at Santa Anita on April 18, finished a quick third at the hands of Flavien Prat, 2 3/4 by the length of the runner-up.
Essential Wager, Honor Code’s 4-year-old light runner son, won 3/4 with an income of $147,200 on his first bet attempt.
Megahertz Shares
The Mike Puype-trained Canoodling rider, who has recently run in New Mexico and Texas, surprised 22-1 in the $100,000 mares and mares Class III grass race.
Ridden performed by Roimes Chirinos, the 4-year-old daughter of the Pioneerof the Nile who ran the ropes to the school gates, won by half the length running the 1-mile run in 1 hour 37.30. It was Chirinos’ first win at Santa Anita.
Canoodling won seven of 14 starts and made $278,023 with Saturday’s winner’s share of $60,000.
https://www.sbsun.com/2022/01/29/santa-anita-forbidden-kingdom-beats-bafferts-trio-in-san-vicente-stakes-victory/ Forbidden Kingdom defeats Baffert’s trio in San Vicente Stakes victory – San Bernardino Sun