Wake Up in Malibu leads wire-to-wire in Saginaw
Wake Up in Malibu led wire-to-wire in winning Friday's S100,000 Saginaw for New York-breds at Belmont Park and earn his first stakes victory.
Trained by Charlton Baker and ridden by Manny Franco, the 5-year-old bay gelding by Malibu Moon took the lead out of the gate and never looked back, covering the opening quarter-mile in 23.23 second and the half in 45.12, with favored Royal Posse not far behind. Wake Up in Malibu widened his lead in the final half mile, cruising under the wire in a comfortable 1:40.39 for 1 1/6 miles.
"I just let him do his thing," said Franco. "He likes to be on the lead. The trainer told me, if the other horse [Sioux, No. 2] goes, just sit beside him, if not, then take the lead. And that's what we did. I won on him at Saratoga last year for George Weaver so I know the horse and today, he was better than ever."
A $35,000 claim by owners Saul J. and Max Kupferberg at Saratoga last summer, Wake Up in Malibu returned $8.30 on a $2 win wager and earned $60,000 for the victory. Overall, Wake Up in Malibu is 5-3-5 from 16 career starts.
"He was looking like he was running comfortable," said Baker. "He was great. I thought maybe I should have waited one more race before he went against this type of competition, but I figured I'd take a shot. He trains like a great horse. He's a nice horse and as he gets more fit, he'll be better."
Owner Saul Kupferberg said plans for Wake Up in Malibu remained undecided.
"I have to give [retired trainer John Parisella] the credit. He found the horse at Saratoga and recommended we claim him," said Kupferberg. "I was a little nervous when I saw the [fast] fractions, but it looked like he had plenty left. We'd like to look at some stakes in Saratoga, but it's up to Charlie - he's the boss."
Royal Posse headed a trio of Rudy Rodriguez-trained horses in finishing second, followed by Good Luck Gus and Sioux. Pax in Terra, trained by Todd Pletcher, completed the order of finish.
Source: NYRA Communications (Sophie Shore)