The Malibu Stakes (Grade I) at Santa Anita Park is set to take place on December 26, 2024. This prestigious race offers a purse of $300,000 and covers a distance of seven furlongs on dirt. It is open to three-year-olds and is a key race in Santa Anita’s Strub Series.
Race Details:
- Purse: $300,000
- Distance: Seven furlongs
- Eligibility: Three-year-olds
- Weight: 124 lbs
- Entry Fee: $2,250 with an additional $2,250 to start
- Winners’ Share: $180,000
- Second Place: $60,000
- Third Place: $36,000
- Fourth Place: $18,000
- Fifth Place: $6,000
- Non-Winners of a Grade I Stake since June 26, 2024: Allowed 2 lbs
- Non-Winners of a Graded Stakes since December 26, 2023: Allowed 4 lbs
- Trophy: Presented to the winning owner
Contenders:
- Bentornato (FL) – Jockey: Luis Saez, Trainer: Jose F. D’Angelo, Odds: 3/1
- Pilot Commander (KY) – Jockey: Juan J. Hernandez, Trainer: Bob Baffert, Odds: 6/1
- Winterfell (KY) – Jockey: John R. Velazquez, Trainer: Bob Baffert, Odds: 15/1
- Senior Officer (MD) – Jockey: Flavien Prat, Trainer: Brad H. Cox, Odds: 5/1
- Imagination (KY) – Jockey: Joel Rosario, Trainer: Bob Baffert, Odds: 12/1
- Mystik Dan (KY) – Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr., Trainer: Kenneth G. McPeek, Odds: 5/2
- Stronghold (KY) – Jockey: Antonio Fresu, Trainer: Phil D’Amato, Odds: 8/1
- Raging Torrent (KY) – Jockey: Lanfranco Dettori, Trainer: Doug F. O’Neill, Odds: 9/2
Analysis:
- Bentornato: A strong contender with a solid record, Bentornato is trained by Jose F. D’Angelo and ridden by Luis Saez. With odds of 3/1, he is expected to be competitive.
- Pilot Commander: Another horse from Bob Baffert’s barn, Pilot Commander has shown promise and is ridden by Juan J. Hernandez. With odds of 6/1, he could be a dark horse in this race.
- Winterfell: Also trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by John R. Velazquez, Winterfell has potential but is considered an underdog with odds of 15/1.
- Senior Officer: Trained by Brad H. Cox and ridden by Flavien Prat, Senior Officer is a strong contender with odds of 5/1.
- Imagination: Another horse from Bob Baffert’s stable, Imagination is ridden by Joel Rosario and has odds of 12/1.
- Mystik Dan: The morning-line favorite with odds of 5/2, Mystik Dan is trained by Kenneth G. McPeek and ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr. He is the Kentucky Derby winner and is expected to perform well.
- Stronghold: Trained by Phil D’Amato and ridden by Antonio Fresu, Stronghold has shown potential and has odds of 8/1.
- Raging Torrent: Trained by Doug F. O’Neill and ridden by Lanfranco Dettori, Raging Torrent is another strong contender with odds of 9/2.
The Malibu Stakes promises to be an exciting race with a mix of top contenders and potential upsets. Will Mystik Dan continue his winning streak, or will another horse rise to the occasion?
