ARCADIA, Calif. – The first race on a weekend program is an unusual spot for a graded stakes at a major racetrack, and a turf sprint is an odd spot for the comeback of a top dirt sprinter. Both peculiarities are in play Saturday at Santa Anita. The Grade 2 Joe Hernandez Stakes, on the downhill turf course, was placed at the front of the card to beat the rain. As for the return of Forbidden Kingdom, graded stakes winner on dirt, the turf stakes was the only available race. “I don’t see any reason he shouldn’t like” turf, trainer Richard Mandella said. “We’ll just have to find out.” Forbidden Kingdom finished third his only start on turf two years ago. A two-time graded winner against 3-year-olds in 2022, Forbidden Kingdom faces a deep field Saturday in his first start since May. Rivals include graded winners Balnikhov, Lucky Score, Olympic Runner, and Dancing Buck, as well as stakes winners Turn On The Jets, Front Run the Fed, and I’m a Gambler. The complexion of the Hernandez could change depending on weather, which is the reason both turf stakes Saturday are early. The Hernandez is race 1, the Grade 3 Robert J. Frankel is race 3. Racing secretary Jason Egan acknowledged unease slotting a $200,000 stakes as the first race. :: Bet with the Best! Get FREE All-Access PPs and Weekly Cashback when you wager on DRF Bets. “It’s not where I would’ve liked to put a race like the Hernandez,” Egan said. But his hand was forced. “Based on the forecast we’ve seen, the earlier the better . . . giving us the opportunity to keep [both stakes] on the grass.” The midweek forecast called for light rain early Saturday, continuing through the day. In carding the turf stakes early, the hope is both can be run before the course gets excessively wet. The 2022 Hernandez also was the first race, on a downhill course listed as good. Thirteen entered the Hernandez, 12 can start. It will be a late decision regarding course – hill, main turf oval, or dirt. Another possibility is outright cancellation of the Saturday card. Forbidden Kingdom would be a reasonable favorite on either surface. Winner of the Grade 2 San Vicente and San Felipe Stakes in 2022, and second in the Grade 1 Malibu, Forbidden Kingdom has worked well for his return. Barring a pace duel with Peaceful Waters, Forbidden Kingdom can wire the Hernandez under Flavien Prat. A pace collapse would benefit Balnikhov, third last out in the Grade 2 Seabiscuit. Balnikhov finished a length behind Easter, who returned to win the Grade 2 San Gabriel Stakes on opening day of the winter meet. :: Access morning workout reports straight from the tracks and get an edge with DRF Clocker Reports In his only U.S. sprint, Balnikhov was compromised by a slow start and finished eighth. Trainer Phil D’Amato said Balnikhov currently “is a very sharp horse.” Antonio Fresu rides Balnikhov. D’Amato also entered Turn On The Jets, who prefers a shorter distance. If the race remains on the hill, route-to-sprint I’m a Gambler fits perfectly. He was too close to the pace last out when blinkers were added. He finished fifth. Blinkers are off Saturday; Frankie Dettori is on. Last winter, Dettori won with 6 of his first 14 mounts on the Santa Anita hill. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.