Shared Belief Prepares for the Malibu Stakes
The Malibu Stakes, for more than half a century recognized as one of racing’s most prestigious sprints, will grow even greater in stature at Santa Anita on opening day when Shared Belief runs in the Grade I fixture that could have a bearing on determining 2014 Horse of the Year and the Eclipse Award-winning male 3-year-old.
The Male 2-year-old Champion of 2013, Shared Belief is coming off his first defeat, a fourth-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 1 when a rough start compromised his chances of victory. The gelded son of Candy Ride, who no doubt will be among the finalists in both aforementioned categories, worked six furlongs at Golden Gate Monday in a bullet 1:15, fastest of seven drills at the distance over the Tapeta surface.
“He’ll work again this Monday (at Golden Gate) and ship to Santa Anita Tuesday,” Hall of Fame trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said by phone Thursday morning.
Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith, who has ridden Shared Belief in his last four starts, including the mile and a quarter Classic, had little concern about the gelding coming back nearly two months later at seven furlongs.
“He’s won sprinting several times,” Smith said. “The good ones, they can do it all.”
Won in the past by equine elites such as Round Table (1957), Native Diver (1962), Buckpasser (1966), Damascus (1968), Ancient Title (1974), Spectacular Bid (1980), Precisionist (1984), Ferdinand (1986) and Rock Hard Ten (2004), the Malibu is one of two Grade I races on Dec. 26 as storied Santa Anita begins its 78th season.
The Grade I La Brea Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at seven furlongs also will be featured on the nine-race program that starts at 12 noon and is expected to draw a dynamite lineup.
The Grade II, $200,000 Mathis Brothers Mile, formerly run as the Sir Beaufort Stakes, also will be decided at one mile on turf for 3-year-olds.
While many with an official voice likely have already made up their minds, Eclipse Award voting doesn’t close until Jan. 4, allowing ballots to be counted for races through 2014. Eclipse Award finalists will be announced Jan. 7, with the winners revealed on the evening of Saturday, Jan. 17, at Gulfstream Park Racing and Casino.
Asked about Shared Belief’s chances for a 2014 Eclipse Award, Hollendorfer said that since he didn’t have a say in the matter, he would “leave that up to the voters.”
Probable for the Malibu: Chitu, Joel Rosario; Conquest Two Step, Joe Talamo; Eddie’s First, no rider; Indianapolis, no rider; Midnight Hawk, Victor Espinoza; and Shared Belief, Mike Smith.
Source: Santa Anita Park