Malibu

Many of the top three-year-old sprinters in the country have
come together for Sunday’s Malibu S. (G1). The traditional opening-day feature
at Santa Anita, the seven-furlong test 2004 Kentucky Derby (G1) runners QUINTONS GOLD RUSH (Wild Rush) and MINISTER ERIC (Old Trieste) as well as the
return of ROCK HARD TEN (Kris S.), but we’ll go against them all with MASS MEDIA
(Touch Gold). The Bobby Frankel-trained colt enters here off two wins in a
row, including a victory in the Sport Page H. (G3), an event run at this
distance, and looks tough to beat here as one of few sophomores that have been
running at this distance. The dark bay will have the services of Javier Castellano, who was aboard for the colt’s last two.

Rock Hard Ten has been on the shelf since a disappointing sixth in the
Haskell Invitational H. (G1), when the dark bay was sent off as the 4-5
favorite. This will be the second time the oversized colt has tried the seven
furlong distance, as he broke his maiden at Santa Anita going seven-eighths.
Previously trained by Michael Orman, we think he may need one start before
trying the Grade 1 level again, but we can’t completely go against the Grade 2 winner now
under the control of Richard Mandella. Gary Stevens returns after running second
to Smarty Jones in the Preakness S. (G1) the last time he rode.

Minister Eric had not been heard from since the Derby until returning to the
races last out in an optional claimer, finishing third to two of his foes here.
Still, we think the chestnut needed a freshening and got it there. That event
was run at 6 1/2 furlongs and should have hinted to the Richard Mandella trainee
of shorter distances to contend. He gets blinkers here and we’ll have to use him
in the gimmicks.

The Richard Dutrow-trained LOVE OF MONEY (Not for Love) has not raced since
October, but recorded a huge BRIS Speed rating of 111 three back when taking an
allowance run over this distance. With Victor Espinoza in the irons, the Grade
2-winning dark
bay could steal it on the front end.

LAVA MAN (Slew City Slew) has really turned things around after being claimed
by conditioner Doug O’Neill in August. Since then, the gelding has not missed
the board, including a win in the Derby Trial S., and he steps up here but may
surprise. We’ll use him in the exotics. O’Neill will also saddle PERFECT MOON
(Malibu Moon) for the Malibu, who may surprise as well while dropping back to a
sprint. JEFFRIES BAY (Gone West) steps up here as well but may get up for part
as the Jerry Hollendorfer trainee shows a line of 7-4-1-0.

Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas sends out GRAND REWARD (Storm Cat) for
his U.S. bow here and we have to go against as the bay has been off for two
months and will try the dirt for the first time. Recently switched to the Mike
Mitchell barn, Quintons Gold Rush will try a sprint for the first time here and
we’ll just watch his first try going less than a mile.

STONE RAIN (Grindstone) enters here off a neck win over HARVARD AVENUE (You
and I) and Minister Eric, but the John Sadler trainee is jumping in class and
may be overmatched. Harvard Avenue appears in the same position as he has tried
tougher company with little success, and we’ll go against. Mandella has a trio
of sophomores for the Malibu, and SPELLBINDER (Tale of the Cat) appears to be
the least experienced at this level. We’ll give him a race.