Malibu

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

An exciting and deeply competitive field of 13 will line up to contest the
$250,000 Malibu S. (G1) on the opening day of the Santa Anita meet on Tuesday. With
the abundance of early pace in the race, we’ll look for a sophomore that can do his best running late and side with MIDNIGHT LUTE (Real Quiet) for the top
prize. The Bob Baffert charge comes off two superb winning efforts, the latest
a facile tally in the Perryville S. (G3) at Keeneland. The late-developing colt should be
placed in midpack early and could be traveling best under Victor Espinoza.

Grade 2 hero ARSON SQUAD (Brahms) is our choice to complete the exacta for
trainer Bruce Headley. The well bred gelding has impressed all year and should
find that the seven-furlong distance fits him like a glove. In his latest
effort, the three-year-old never got a breather but still defeated a solid field
of elders. The presence of Alex Solis, who chooses this one over others, further
intrigues us.

LATENT HEAT (Maria’s Mon) is a very talented middle distance runner and could
be sitting on a big one for Bobby Frankel. The Kentucky-bred was unplaced when
last seen in the Perryville, but we take little from that effort as he was
racing on the worst part of a tricky surface. The Juddmonte homebred has been
training quite well locally and should get a perfect trip just off the pace.
Edgar Prado will make the trek west to pilot the bay, who drew the 12 post.

SAILORS SUNSET (Petionville) was much the best in the recent Vernon O.
Underwood S. (G3) last out, topping a very nice group of elders for Marcelo
Polanco. The improving sort has reeled off four wins from his last five starts
and couldn’t come into this one in better form. The gelding is yet another who
prefers to be forwardly placed, which could be to his detriment, but he’s likely
talented enough to gain a share. Jon Court has the riding assignment.

Multiple Grade 1 hero BROTHER DEREK (Benchmark) is the most accomplished
horse in the field and would not totally surprise us with a top showing,
although we’d prefer his use on the bottom end of the exotics. Conditioned by
Dan Hendricks, the classy colt has been solid in recent efforts, registering
a runner-up placing in the Goodwood Breeders’ Cup H. (G2) prior to a solid
fifth-place effort in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). We’re somewhat skeptical
of the rigorous schedule that the California-bred has endured this year, as well
as the distance cut-back from 10 to seven furlongs, but we know this colt will
be tough to upend on his best
day. Top jock Garret Gomez will ride.

DA STOOPS (Distorted Humor) has been dominant versus California-breds, but
faces a very difficult task in here for Baffert. The colt has been very
strong over the track, owning three wins from four local starts, and hails
from strong connections, but we have a hard time backing him in this spot.
Martin Garcia
will ride the colt. HYPERBARIC (Sky Classic) is the wildcard in this field for conditioner Julio
Canani. The unbeaten bay has been very impressive to date, with his last pair
coming on the lawn, but has picked a difficult spot to make a stakes debut. The
colt has many positives, including his connections and rail draw, but we’re not
sure if he’s up to this task at this juncture of his career. We recommend using
the talented colt on the bottom of your exotics at square odds beneath David
Flores.

Lazaro Barrera Memorial S. (G2) hero NORTHERN SOLDIER (Yankee Victor) put in
a solid effort over the Cushion Track when topping a good allowance field for
Brian Koriner. The swift sophomore is quite talented and could be a big factor
with a sensible pace scenario, but we question the possibility of that and will
side against in this spot. SPRING AT LAST (Silver Deputy) ran his best race to date when crushing an
allowance group at Aqueduct, getting one mile in a sizzling 1:33 2/5 for Todd
Pletcher. The sophomore doesn’t look to be as classy as these at this point in
his career, finishing fourth in his lone stakes effort, but it would be unwise
to totally dismiss the colt based on his connections and current form. Corey
Nakatani will ride from the outside post.

Stakes-placed POTENTIAL (General Royal) will be making his 10th start of the
year and has yet to display the ability to factor against this type. OBJECTIVE (El Corredor)
is a listed stakes winner in the slop but will likely find this group a bit
much in the latter stages. IT’S A BIRD (Birdonthewire) ships in from the Sunshine State and will look to
pull off a major upset in his stakes debut. The dark bay has impressed in two of
his last three, but seems to be fighting for a minor award at best. The gelded
MONARCHO POLO (Monarchos) has won two straight but needs major improvement to
factor here.