FORBIDDEN KINGDOM and CLASSIC CAUSEWAY, who both finished last in major prep races in the past 10 days, will not race in 2022 Kentucky Derby.

Trainer Richard Mandella said FORBIDDEN KINGDOM would be sent to an equine hospital Monday, two days after he set the pace as the favorite only to fade to the back of the six-horse field in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby.

“We are going to look under his epiglottis to see if he has an ulcer,” Mandell said Sunday, “But no Derby for sure.”

CLASSIC CAUSEWAY was in doubt for May 7th at Churchill Downs since his disappointing performance last Saturday in the Florida Derby (G1).

Trainer Brian Lynch said on Sunday speaking of the Derby: “Think we’ll take a pass.”

CLASSIC CAUSEWAY had been 11th in the Derby qualifying standings after his two Wins in Graded-Stakes preps this winter at Tampa Bay Downs.

FORBIDDEN KINGDOM stood 15th in the Derby standings following his Victory March 5th in the San Felipe (G2) at Santa Anita.

Churchill Downs also reported that EMMANUEL, who finished 3rd in the Blue Grass (G1) last Saturday at Keeneland, is off the Derby trail. He had 25 points and would have needed dropouts above him to be in consideration.

After this weekend’s Lexington Stakes the 2022 Kentucky Derby top twenty qualifiers should be all set, the only question being- will the top ranked horses be ready, willing , and able to go in the Run For The Roses ?

Keep reading the Daily Racing Blog for all the pertinent Derby news leading right up to the first weekend in May.