Twirling Candy Heads Malibu Probables

TWIRLING CANDY (Candy Ride [Arg]), NOBLE'S PROMISE (Cuvee) and ALCINDOR (Unbridled's Song) are the big names expected for Sunday's $250,000 Malibu S. (G1), the traditional opening-day feature at Santa Anita. The official field for the seven-furlong test will be drawn Wednesday, and eight sophomores appear likely to pass through the entry box.

Twirling Candy is one of two from the barn of trainer John Sadler, who will defend his title at the winter/spring meet. A smashing 3 1/4-length winner of the grassy Del Mar Derby (G2) two starts back, the dark bay colt sustained his first career setback when a finishing fourth as the 3-5 favorite in the nine-furlong Goodwood S. (G1) on October 2, but he's a strong candidate to rebound while cutting back in trip Sunday. Four-for-five overall, Twirling Candy will retain the services of Joel Rosario for his dirt bow in the Malibu.

Sadler will also send out DON TITO (Trippi), who exits a third in his stakes debut, the Jimmy V. on Breeders' Cup Friday at Churchill Downs.