Wednesday's 8th race (3:52pm PT) from Santa Anita Park is the Grade I Malibu Stakes for 3-year-olds traveling seven furlongs on the main track.
#2 Jimmy Creed (9-2) sat an uncomfortable inner trip from off the pace in a 14-horse field race over a speed friendly Santa Anita oval in the BC Sprint. He was an early-pressing gem of consistency before his last and is fresh and ready to bounce back today. The lightly raced $900k Keeneland sales grad owns running style versatility and should enjoy seven panels.
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#1 Fed Biz (9-2) disappointed as my top in the BC Dirt Mile but he is training well for this and also enters fresh. The 2-time local winner should make his presence felt throughout from the rail under Mike Smith.
#10 Unbridled's Note (9-2) ran too good to lose as my top in the BC Turf Sprint. The well posted stalking type finished a close-up 3rd in the G1 King's Bishop at this trip and Nakatani rides him well.
#4 The Lumber Guy (3-1) has no real knocks except price. The early-pressing type is a beast in one turn races and was last seen landing the place in the BC Sprint.
#3 Drill (6-1) is reportedly training well for this and is 3-for-3 at seven furlongs. He captured the G2 San Vicente at this course/distance in February and looks ready to roll off the shelf.
The Plays:
$24 to win #2
$1 Trifecta 1-2-10/1-2-3-4-10/1-2-3-4-10 ($36)
analysis by Jarrod Horak