Misremembered tops Malibu on Santa Anita opener

Arkansas Derby (G2) scorer PAPA CLEM (Smart Strike) is set for his return to

the races off an 111-day freshening. Beaten less than a half-length for

runner-up honors in the Kentucky Derby (G1), the bay colt ran well in only two

starts over the Pro-Ride last winter, breaking his maiden prior to a close

second in the Robert B. Lewis S. (G2). The Gary Stute charge was last seen

posting an unplaced finish in the grassy Del Mar Derby (G2) in early September.

"He bled a little that day," Stute said, "so we decided to give him a little

time off and point for the new year. I'm anxious to get him back. My bank

account needs the money."

Grade 1 winner SQUARE EDDIE (Smart Strike) will look to strike while cutting

back in distance off a fifth in the 1 1/8-mile Native Diver H. (G3). A

well-regarded Kentucky Derby prospect following seconds in the Breeders' Cup

Juvenile (G1) and San Rafael S. (G2) at Santa Anita, the Doug O'Neill pupil had

to miss a large chunk of his sophomore season due to shin problems, but fitness

shouldn't be an issue on Saturday with three recent starts to his credit.

The Malibu is the first leg of the Strub series for foals of 2006 that also

consists of the January 16 San Fernando S. (G2) and February 6 Stub S. (G2).

Other contenders include MYTHICAL POWER (Congaree), who will make his first

start for Baffert since winning the Lone Star Derby (G3) by 7 1/2 lengths in

May; SMART BID (Smart Strike), SUPREME SUMMIT (Cactus Ridge) M ONE RIFLE (One

Man Army), the top three respective finishers in the Damascus S. on the

Breeders' Cup Saturday undercard; and KINSELLA (Mr. Greeley), who exits a third

in the grassy Bryan Station S. (G2) for Todd Pletcher.

The winter/spring meet, which runs through April 18, will get underway with a

special early first post time of 11:30 a.m. (PST). All patrons will receive

Santa Anita's traditional wall calendar, free of charge with paid admission.

This year's calendar chronicles many of the unforgettable moments in the 75-year

history of the Great Race Place.

In addition to the 10-race card, fans will be treated to an action packed

day, as the recently retired champion mare Zenyatta will be paraded in front of

the grandstand and will participate in an historic winner's circle ceremony. A

dramatic winner of the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) in her final start, Zenyatta,

who is currently in a head-and-head duel with super filly Rachel Alexandra

(Medaglia d'Oro) for Horse of the Year honors, will be making her final public

appearance prior to being shipped to Kentucky in January to begin her new career

as a broodmare.

Owners Jerry and Ann Moss, trainer John Shirreffs and Hall of Fame jockey

Mike Smith will participate in the ceremony and all fans attending on-track will

receive a beautiful color poster, sponsored by HRTV, of the undefeated champion

mare that will include photos of all 14 of her lifetime victories.

"Zenyatta's win here in the Classic was in the opinion of many, the most

dramatic moment in the history of Santa Anita and it surely has catapulted her

into the national spotlight along with Rachel Alexandra as many people's choice

for Horse of the Year," Santa Anita President Ron Charles said. "We are so

thankful to the Mosses for making the decision to share her with us this one

final time and I think many thousands of racing fans are going to want to be a

part of this as well."

In the 75-year history of Santa Anita, few horses have had more impact than

John Henry, who was conditioned for most of his career by Hall of Fame trainer

Ron McAnally. In recognition of the staggering list of achievements by the great John Henry, both nationally and at Santa Anita, the remarkable gelding

will be immortalized for generations to come on opening day as a life-sized

bronze statue of him will be unveiled by McAnally in the Paddock

Gardens area near the Kingsbury Fountain.

"Without a doubt, John Henry was one of the most popular horses to ever

compete here at Santa Anita and he probably meant more to our sport and to our

business than any other horse you can think of in the 1980s," said Charles of

John Henry, who became the first two-time winner of the Santa Anita H. (G1),

taking the prestigious event in 1981 and 1982. 

Retired in 1985 as Thoroughbred racing's all-time leading money winner with

$6,591,860 in earnings, John Henry passed away at age 32 on October 8, 2007, at

the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Kentucky.

In addition to the 2010 wall calendar and the color poster of Zenyatta, all

fans attending opening day will receive two passes redeemable for complimentary

admission any day through January 3.