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Trainer Richard Mandella intends to have recent Del Mar stakes winner, Planetario, and possibly Forbidden Kingdom, the victor of the Gr.2 Joe Hernandez Stakes at Santa Anita, make appearances in stakes races in the Middle East in the upcoming months.
After a seven-month break, Forbidden Kingdom made a comeback and triumphed in the Hernandez Stakes, earning a total of US$203,500. The main turf oval race spanned 6 1/2 furlongs, and Forbidden Kingdom, who was the second choice at 4-1, stayed ahead throughout the race to win by half a length. The 13-1 long shot Dancing Buck came in second.
“He showed some real fight, the first time in a long time,” Mandella said.
Mandella said the Gr.1 Dubai Golden Shaheen at six furlongs on dirt at Meydan Racecourse in the United Arab Emirates on March 30 is a possibility for Forbidden Kingdom, a three-time stakes winner.
“I’ll be careful not to run him back too soon,” Mandella said. “I think he wants time between races. The dirt sprint in Dubai is an interesting option. It’s just a thought.”
Forbidden Kingdom, who races for Spendthrift Farm and the My Racehorse partnership, is a 5YO horse in 2024. He has won 4 of 12 starts and earned US$679,500. However, he has faced minor issues such as a throat ailment, colic, and a sore foot, resulting in periods of sideline.
In early 2022, Forbidden Kingdom won two consecutive Group Two stakes for 3YO, the San Vicente Stakes, and the San Felipe Stakes. Unfortunately, he finished last of six in the Group One Santa Anita Derby in April of that year, and was diagnosed with a throat issue following that race. The Hernandez Stakes ended a six-race losing streak for Forbidden Kingdom since the San Felipe.
Planetario, who won the Gr.2 Hollywood Turf Cup at 1 1/2 miles at Del Mar on 24th, is scheduled to run in the US$2.5 million Red Sea Handicap at 1 7/8 miles on turf in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 25, followed by the Group Two Dubai Gold Cup, a US$1 million race at two miles at Meydan Racecourse on 30th March.
Salesman, who won the Gr.2 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance at 1 5/8 miles in November, is a California-based horse trained by Mandella. Although he was withdrawn from the Gr.2 San Pasqual Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on 26th Dec after tying up in the days before the race, Mandella said on Sunday that Salesman is a candidate for the Gr.2 San Pasqual Stakes at 1 1 /8 miles at Santa Anita on 27th Jan. The San Pasqual is a leading prep for Santa Anita’s top race for older horses – the Gr.1 Santa Anita Handicap at 1 1/4 miles on 2nd March.
Planetario,