Santa Anita opens the day after Christmas with the traditional Malibu stakes at 7 furlongs. This Grade 1 race is the final race of the year for 3.
The Malibu 2015 Field:
Pain and Misery enters with a 4 for 12 lifetime record. Gets the cut back in distance from Zia Park, but goes up in class. Should like the 7 furlongs and may close some ground late, but overall the raw speed doesn’t matchup with the topo contenders.
Marking untested 2 in two races. Both with dominating wins including a “big” win in last race by 5 lengths. Back to back Brisnet 96 speed figures have him on edge for a jump in his 3rd lifetime race. Working forwardly, classy bredding and Jose Lezcano ships in for this race. Contender and 3/1 fair odds.
Watershed has one more race than Marking and owns the same trainer and owner. This son of Bernardini came from off the pace at Keeneland in his most recent race. Has the speed to hang close, proven class from his King’s Bishop 4th. Joel Rosario rides this late running sprinter down the lane. Fair Odds 5/2.
Runhappy is the universal twitter “Freak” gets the trainer change post Breeders Cup. Six wins in 7 lifetime races and owns a 111 and 107 Brisnet speed figure. Fastest horse in the race and should have the lead and control the pace. Works have been fast and gets the hall of fame rider Gary Stevens in the saddle. Lots of changes since the last race and most likely 7/5 on the board. Formidable, but a few question marks.
El Kabeir comes in off a win on a speedy surface at Laurel. Overall class level is G3/G2 quality. Has the right running style and should run his race but speed figures have him 5-6 lengths back of the top contenders.
Bad Read Sanchez enters off a long layoff from the Santa Anita Derby. Most likely will have a career as a 7 furlong, miler type and has a string of workouts for this race. Likely to be overlooked on the board, but may be better than past performances indicate.
Lord Nelson has 6 generations of Argentinian Blood according to Bloodhorse Reporter Steve Haskin. Long layoff since May. Has some races that fit nicely with this bunch. Capable of winning if he runs his best race off the bench.
The Selection:
Runhappy is the speed of the speed and should lead this field into the stretch. Watershed and Marking look to make mid-race moves to put the pressure on down the stretch. Watershed has been superb in all 3 of his races and is the choice to win a very strong Malibu stakes.
Watershed
Marking