LOS ANGELES — Trainer Richard Mandella wasn't sure he would find himself in this spot, but now that he's here, he's starting to feel pretty comfortable. Saturday, his 3-year-old colt Forbidden Kingdom dominated from the gate to win the Grade 2 $400,000 San Felipe Stakes by 5 3/4 lengths. It could have been more.
Forbidden Kingdom earned 50 Kentucky Derby qualifying points, meaning the horse is all but assured a spot in Louisville on the first Saturday in May.
Despite the dominance, there will be the question of whether the horse can go the 1 1/4 miles needed to win the Kentucky Derby. Saturday's win was at 1 1/16 miles and the next step will be the 1 1/8-mile Santa Anita Derby in a month. In his previous race, he won the San Vicente, a seven-furlong race. If he runs in the Kentucky Derby, it will be his first race outside Southern California.
