Forbidden Kingdom Misses March 18 Work With Temperature

Forbidden Kingdom , one of the early favorites for the May 7 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1) at Churchill Downs and a candidate for the Runhappy Santa Anita Derby (G1) April 9, missed a scheduled work March 18 due to a slightly elevated temperature March 17, trainer Richard Mandella said.

"It's down today and his blood work is good, so we're hoping it passes quickly," said the Hall of Fame conditioner.

A 3-year-old son of American Pharoah  , Forbidden Kingdom was a front-running winner of the San Vicente Stakes (G2) at seven furlongs Jan. 29 and the San Felipe Stakes (G2) at 1 1/16 miles March 5, both at Santa Anita Park. 

Owned by MyRacehorse and Spendthrift Farm, the chestnut colt earned $240,000 for his San Felipe victory, in addition to 50 qualifying Kentucky Derby points.

Forbidden Kingdom is one of California's top 3-year-olds along with Robert B. Lewis (G3) stakes winner Messier . The latter, owned by SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert Masterson, Jay Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital, Catherine Donovan, Golconda Stable, and Siena Farm, is not currently eligible for the Kentucky Derby due to Churchill Downs' private-property suspension of his trainer, Bob Baffert.

Co-owner Tom Ryan of SF Racing tweeted this week that Messier remains on track for the Santa Anita Derby after a March 13 workout at Santa Anita, timed in :59 2/5 for five furlongs.