First Look: Malibu leads 6 graded stakes as Santa Anita opens

Taiba will make his case to be voted the top 3-year-old male of the year when he starts in the Grade 1 Malibu (G1) at Santa Anita next Monday.

After the lull of the last few weeks, the graded-stakes calendar picks up pace again, with Santa Anita hosting six events on the day after Christmas.

Plus, Fair Grounds hold points preps for the Kentucky Derby and Oaks.

Here’s an early look at the likely fields.

Next Monday

Malibu (G1), Santa Anita, 7 furlongs, 3-year-olds

The field is expected to be led by Taiba, winner of the Pennsylvania Derby (G1) before finishing third in the Breeders’ Cup Classic for trainer Bob Baffert. He’s expected to face his stablemate Messier, who finished 11th in an allowance optional claiming race on Breeders’ Cup Saturday in his first start since running 15th in the Kentucky Derby. Slow Down Andy cuts back in distance after a third-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Mile. Forbidden Kingdom started the year with two graded-stakes wins but is 0-for-3 since.

2022 Malibu G1

Fin	Silks	Horse / Sire	Rating	Trainer / Jockey	Last Start / Next Start	Status
		Strava Into Mischief	5.39	Dallas Stewart	3rd, 2022 Harrods Creek LS	Possible
Last Race		3rd, 2022 Harrods Creek LS
		Straight No Chaser Speightster	5.09	Dan Blacker	1st, Dmr MSW (7/24/22-R2) 2022 Malibu G1	Probable
Last Race Next Race		1st, Dmr MSW (7/24/22-R2) 2022 Malibu G1
		Slow Down Andy Nyquist	6.54	Doug F. O'Neill	3rd, 2022 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile G1	Probable
Last Race		3rd, 2022 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile G1
		Rockefeller Medaglia d'Oro	4.36	Sean McCarthy	10th, 2022 Gotham G3	Possible
Last Race		10th, 2022 Gotham G3
		Taiba Gun Runner	8.10	Bob Baffert	3rd, 2022 Breeders' Cup Classic G1	Probable
Last Race		3rd, 2022 Breeders' Cup Classic G1
		Nakatomi Firing Line	5.11	Wesley A. Ward	4th, 2022 Gallant Bob G2	Probable
Last Race		4th, 2022 Gallant Bob G2
		Messier Empire Maker	6.83	Bob Baffert	15th, 2022 Kentucky Derby G1	Probable
Last Race		15th, 2022 Kentucky Derby G1
		Hoist the Gold Mineshaft	5.64	Dallas Stewart	4th, 2022 Steel Valley Sprint LS	Probable
Last Race		4th, 2022 Steel Valley Sprint LS
		Forbidden Kingdom American Pharoah	6.63	Richard E. Mandella	5th, 2022 Santa Anita Sprint Championship G2	Probable
Last Race		5th, 2022 Santa Anita Sprint Championship G2
		Apprehend Arrogate	4.27	Peter Miller	2nd, 2022 Zia Park Derby LS	Probable
Last Race		2nd, 2022 Zia Park Derby LS

American Oaks (G1), Santa Anita, 1 1/4 miles (turf), 3-year-old fillies

Sparkle Blue made her 2022 debut in July and has gone 2-for-3, winning the Rubicon Valley View (G3) last out by 2 1/2 lengths. Rhea Moon sports a 6: 3-2-1 record and is coming off a win in the Autumn Miss (G3). Pizza Bianca looks for her second win of the year after missing second by a nose last out in the Matriarch (G1).

2022 American Oaks G1

Fin	Silks	Horse / Sire	Rating	Trainer / Jockey	Last Start / Next Start	Status
		Sparkle Blue Hard Spun	6.09	H. Graham Motion	1st, 2022 Valley View G3	Probable
Last Race		1st, 2022 Valley View G3
		Skims Frankel	4.47	Claude R. McGaughey III	1st, 2022 Sands Point G2	Probable
Last Race		1st, 2022 Sands Point G2
		School Dance Animal Kingdom	0.00	Joseph F. Orseno	5th, GP MSW (4/24/22-R5) 2022 American Oaks G1	Possible
Last Race Next Race		5th, GP MSW (4/24/22-R5) 2022 American Oaks G1
		Salimah El Kabeir	4.79	Chad C. Brown	1st, 2022 Winter Memories LS	Probable
Last Race		1st, 2022 Winter Memories LS
		Rhea Moon Starspangledbanner	6.67	Philip D'Amato	1st, 2022 Autumn Miss G3	Probable
Last Race		1st, 2022 Autumn Miss G3
		Pizza Bianca Fastnet Rock	5.93	Christophe Clement	3rd, 2022 Matriarch Stakes G1	Possible
Last Race		3rd, 2022 Matriarch Stakes G1
		Oakhurst Mr Speaker	4.09	Michelle Nevin	12th, 2022 Virginia Oaks LS	Possible
Last Race		12th, 2022 Virginia Oaks LS
		Mise En Scene Siyouni	0.00	Brendan P. Walsh	6th, 2022 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf G1	Probable
Last Race		6th, 2022 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf G1
		Lady Clementine Churchill	0.00	George Papaprodromou	7th, 2022 Autumn Miss G3	Probable
Last Race		7th, 2022 Autumn Miss G3
		Kitty Kitana Bobby's Kitten	4.45	Philip D'Amato	3rd, 2022 Autumn Miss G3	Possible
Last Race		3rd, 2022 Autumn Miss G3
		Glenall Coulsty	4.45	George Papaprodromou	8th, 2022 Music City Stakes LS	Probable
Last Race		8th, 2022 Music City Stakes LS
		Duvet Day Starspangledbanner	4.09	Michael W. McCarthy	6th, 2022 Red Carpet Handicap G3	Possible
Last Race		6th, 2022 Red Carpet Handicap G3
		Claddagh Cure Shaman Ghost	0.00	Patrick Gallagher	10th, Dmr AlwOC (8/21/22-R10) 2022 American Oaks G1	Possible
Last Race Next Race		10th, Dmr AlwOC (8/21/22-R10) 2022 American Oaks G1
		Bellstreet Bridie Sir Percy	0.00	Mark Glatt	1st, 2022 Red Carpet Handicap G3	Probable
Last Race		1st, 2022 Red Carpet Handicap G3
		Bellabel Belardo	5.45	Philip D'Amato	3rd, 2022 QE II Challenge Cup G1	Probable
Last Race		3rd, 2022 QE II Challenge Cup G1

La Brea (G1), Santa Anita, 7 furlongs, 3-year-old fillies

Midnight Memories is 4-for-5 for Baffert, with graded-stakes wins in his last two starts, and would cut back in distance here. Micro Share would make her first start since a fifth-place finish in the Santa Anita Oaks (G2) in April. Yuugiri was listed as probable by Santa Anita, but trainer Rodolphe Brisset said Sunday that he had not made that decision. She has been working at Oaklawn ahead of her first start since finishing 13th in the Kentucky Oaks.

2022 La Brea G1

Fin	Silks	Horse / Sire	Rating	Trainer / Jockey	Last Start / Next Start	Status
		Yuugiri Shackleford	5.17	Rodolphe Brisset	13th, 2022 Kentucky Oaks G1	Probable
Last Race		13th, 2022 Kentucky Oaks G1
		Under The Stars Pioneerof the Nile	5.48	Bob Baffert	2nd, 2022 Chillingworth Stakes G3	Probable
Last Race		2nd, 2022 Chillingworth Stakes G3
		Peace Peddler Gun Runner	4.09	Richard Baltas	5th, OP AlwOC (2/26/22-R3) 2022 La Brea G1	Possible
Last Race Next Race		5th, OP AlwOC (2/26/22-R3) 2022 La Brea G1
		Midnight Stroll Not This Time	4.79	John P. Terranova, II	3rd, 2022 Raven Run G2	Probable
Last Race		3rd, 2022 Raven Run G2
		Midnight Memories Mastery	6.27	Bob Baffert	1st, 2022 Zenyatta Stakes G2	Probable
Last Race		1st, 2022 Zenyatta Stakes G2
		Micro Share Upstart	6.04	Richard E. Mandella	5th, 2022 Santa Anita Oaks G2	Possible
Last Race		5th, 2022 Santa Anita Oaks G2
		Lady T Into Mischief	5.56	John A. Shirreffs	12th, 2022 Del Mar Oaks G1	Probable
Last Race		12th, 2022 Del Mar Oaks G1
		Kirstenbosch Midnight Lute	4.12	John W. Sadler	2nd, 2022 Zia Park Oaks LS	Probable
Last Race		2nd, 2022 Zia Park Oaks LS
		Hot Peppers Khozan	5.42	Rudy R. Rodriguez	4th, 2022 Prioress G2	Probable
Last Race		4th, 2022 Prioress G2
		Ganadora Quality Road	5.12	Bob Baffert	1st, 2022 Dark Mirage LS	Possible
Last Race		1st, 2022 Dark Mirage LS
		Fun To Dream Arrogate	5.34	Bob Baffert	1st, 2022 Betty Grable RS	Possible
Last Race		1st, 2022 Betty Grable RS
		Awake At Midnyte Nyquist	5.06	Doug F. O'Neill	8th, 2022 Breeders' Cup Distaff G1	Probable
Last Race		8th, 2022 Breeders' Cup Distaff G1

Santa Anita Mathis Mile (G2), Santa Anita, 1 mile (turf), 3-year-olds

Speaking Scout would cut back in distance here after winning the Hollywood Derby (G1) last out. Balnikhov has two wins from six starts this year after beating Wit by a neck in the Bryan Station (G3) last out. Handy Dandy is looking for his first graded win after a fourth-place finish in the Hollywood Derby, where he had a bumpy trip.

2022 Mathis Mile G2

Fin	Silks	Horse / Sire	Rating	Trainer / Jockey	Last Start / Next Start	Status
		Time To Party Kantharos	4.45	George Papaprodromou	5th, 2022 Let It Ride RS	Probable
Last Race		5th, 2022 Let It Ride RS
		Speaking Scout Mr Speaker	4.34	H. Graham Motion	1st, 2022 Hollywood Derby G1	Possible
Last Race		1st, 2022 Hollywood Derby G1
		Riot House Violence	4.12	Danny Gargan	5th, 2022 Gio Ponti LS	Possible
Last Race		5th, 2022 Gio Ponti LS
		Perfect Flight Uncle Mo	4.12	Peter Miller	1st, 2022 Zia Park Derby LS	Possible
Last Race		1st, 2022 Zia Park Derby LS
		Percolate Sir Percy	4.45	Michael W. McCarthy	6th, Dmr MSW (8/13/22-R10) 2022 Mathis Mile G2	Possible
Last Race Next Race		6th, Dmr MSW (8/13/22-R10) 2022 Mathis Mile G2
		One More Bid California Chrome	4.59	Ryan Hanson	2nd, SA MSW (10/1/22-R1) 2022 Mathis Mile G2	Probable
Last Race Next Race		2nd, SA MSW (10/1/22-R1) 2022 Mathis Mile G2
		I'm A Gambler No Nay Never	0.00	Mark Glatt	5th, 2022 Supreme Stakes G3 2022 Mathis Mile G2	Probable
Last Race Next Race		5th, 2022 Supreme Stakes G3 2022 Mathis Mile G2
		Handy Dandy Fury Kapcori	4.89	Peter Miller	4th, 2022 Hollywood Derby G1	Probable
Last Race		4th, 2022 Hollywood Derby G1
		Fort Sumter Dixie Union	4.39	Richard E. Mandella	6th, SA Allow (2/24/10-R6) 2022 Mathis Mile G2	Probable
Last Race Next Race		6th, SA Allow (2/24/10-R6) 2022 Mathis Mile G2
		Dakota Gold Freud	4.67	Danny Gargan	4th, 2022 Gio Ponti LS	Possible
Last Race		4th, 2022 Gio Ponti LS
		Balnikhov Adaay	6.39	Philip D'Amato	1st, 2022 Bryan Station Stakes G3	Probable
Last Race		1st, 2022 Bryan Station Stakes G3

San Antonio (G2), Santa Anita, 1 1/16 miles, 3-year-olds and up

Defunded has won two graded stakes in a row for Baffert, the Native Diver (G3) last out and the Awesome Again (G1). Country Grammer has one win and four seconds this year and will be ridden by Frankie Dettori, his jockey for his Dubai World Cup (G1) win in March. Stiletto Boy would make his first start since finishing sixth in the Pacific Classic (G1).

2022 San Antonio Stakes G2

Fin	Silks	Horse / Sire	Rating	Trainer / Jockey	Last Start / Next Start	Status
		Stilleto Boy Shackleford	6.70	Ed Moger, Jr.	6th, 2022 Pacific Classic G1	Possible
Last Race		6th, 2022 Pacific Classic G1
		Perfect Flight Uncle Mo	4.12	Peter Miller	1st, 2022 Zia Park Derby LS	Possible
Last Race		1st, 2022 Zia Park Derby LS
		Newgrange Violence	5.72	Philip D'Amato	3rd, 2022 Native Diver Stakes G3	Probable
Last Race		3rd, 2022 Native Diver Stakes G3
		Kiss Today Goodbye Cairo Prince	6.06	J. Eric Kruljac	5th, 2022 San Pasqual Stakes G2	Possible
Last Race		5th, 2022 San Pasqual Stakes G2
		Heywoods Beach Speightstown	5.34	John W. Sadler	2nd, 2022 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance G2	Possible
Last Race		2nd, 2022 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance G2
		Go On Nyquist	5.47	Doug F. O'Neill	7th, 2022 Hollywood Turf Cup G2	Possible
Last Race		7th, 2022 Hollywood Turf Cup G2
		Defunded Dialed In	5.81	Bob Baffert	1st, 2022 Native Diver Stakes G3	Possible
Last Race		1st, 2022 Native Diver Stakes G3
		Country Grammer Tonalist	8.00	Bob Baffert	2nd, 2022 Awesome Again G1	Probable
Last Race		2nd, 2022 Awesome Again G1
		Business Model Candy Ride	4.45	Brendan P. Walsh	2nd, CD AlwOC (9/16/22-R9)	Possible
Last Race		2nd, CD AlwOC (9/16/22-R9)
		Breakfast Ride Distorted Humor	4.12	John W. Sadler	3rd, SA AlwOC (10/8/22-R2) 2022 San Antonio Stakes G2	Probable
Last Race Next Race		3rd, SA AlwOC (10/8/22-R2) 2022 San Antonio Stakes G2
		Azul Coast Super Saver	5.17	Bob Baffert	2nd, 2022 Native Diver Stakes G3	Probable
Last Race		2nd, 2022 Native Diver Stakes G3

San Gabriel (G2), Santa Anita, 1 1/8 miles (turf), 3-year–olds and up

Five runners from the Hollywood Turf Cup (G2) are possible here, including winner Prince Abama and runner-up The Grey Wizard. Masteroffoxhounds’s only win in seven starts this year came in the Seabiscuit (G2), where he won by a neck. Air Force Red is a 4-year-old who didn’t race until this year. He has four wins from nine starts and is looking for his first graded victory.

2022 San Gabriel Stakes G2

Fin	Silks	Horse / Sire	Rating	Trainer / Jockey	Last Start / Next Start	Status
		The Grey Wizard Caravaggio	4.79	H. Graham Motion	2nd, 2022 Hollywood Turf Cup G2	Possible
Last Race		2nd, 2022 Hollywood Turf Cup G2
		Ready Soul More Than Ready	4.79	Philip D'Amato	3rd, 2022 Thunder Road Stakes G3	Possible
Last Race		3rd, 2022 Thunder Road Stakes G3
		Prince Abama Tamayuz	4.79	Philip D'Amato	1st, 2022 Hollywood Turf Cup G2	Possible
Last Race		1st, 2022 Hollywood Turf Cup G2
		Order And Law Violence	4.34	Robert B. Hess Jr.	7th, 2022 Bull Dog LS	Possible
Last Race		7th, 2022 Bull Dog LS
		Masteroffoxhounds War Front	5.84	Philip D'Amato	3rd, 2022 Seabiscuit Handicap G2	Probable
Last Race		3rd, 2022 Seabiscuit Handicap G2
		Master Piece Mastercraftsman	4.87	Michael W. McCarthy	8th, 2022 Breeders' Cup Turf G1	Probable
Last Race		8th, 2022 Breeders' Cup Turf G1
		Lincoln Hawk Mehmas	4.79	Richard Baltas	4th, 2022 San Marcos G2	Possible
Last Race		4th, 2022 San Marcos G2
		Kiss Today Goodbye Cairo Prince	6.06	J. Eric Kruljac	5th, 2022 San Pasqual Stakes G2	Possible
Last Race		5th, 2022 San Pasqual Stakes G2
		Hudson Ridge American Pharoah	5.89	Sean McCarthy	5th, SA AlwOC (6/11/22-R9)	Possible
Last Race		5th, SA AlwOC (6/11/22-R9)
		Go On Nyquist	5.47	Doug F. O'Neill	7th, 2022 Hollywood Turf Cup G2	Possible
Last Race		7th, 2022 Hollywood Turf Cup G2
		Dicey Mo Chara Adaay	4.84	Leonard Powell	4th, 2022 Hollywood Turf Cup G2	Possible
Last Race		4th, 2022 Hollywood Turf Cup G2
		Cash Equity Toronado	5.91	Philip D'Amato	5th, 2022 Hollywood Turf Cup G2	Possible
Last Race		5th, 2022 Hollywood Turf Cup G2
		Bob And Jackie Twirling Candy	6.09	Richard Baltas	8th, 2022 Frank E. Kilroe Mile G1	Possible
Last Race		8th, 2022 Frank E. Kilroe Mile G1
		Air Force Red Air Force Blue	0.00	Leonard Powell	2022 San Gabriel Stakes G2	Probable
Next Race		2022 San Gabriel Stakes G2

Gun Runner, Fair Grounds, 1 1/16 miles, 2-year-olds, 10-4-3-2-1 Kentucky Derby points

After his seventh-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, Andthewinneris switches back to dirt, a surface that he has tried once before, finishing third in the Bashford Manor. After a 6 1/4-length win in her first start, Jace's Road picked up three Derby points with a third-place finish in the Iroquois (G3) and then was eighth in the Street Sense (G3).

2022 Gun Runner LS

Fin	Silks	Horse / Sire	Rating	Trainer / Jockey	Last Start / Next Start	Status
		Raise Cain Violence	4.34	Ben Colebrook Luan Machado	3rd, 2022 Bowman Mill LS	Entered
Last Race		3rd, 2022 Bowman Mill LS
		Old Alliance Hard Spun	0.00	Michael Stidham Colby J. Hernandez	3rd, Kee AlwOC (11/4/22-R4) 2022 Gun Runner LS	Entered
Last Race Next Race		3rd, Kee AlwOC (11/4/22-R4) 2022 Gun Runner LS
		Mazing Mark Mo Town	0.00	Lonnie Briley Juan P. Vargas	1st, 2022 Jean Lafitte LS	Entered
Last Race		1st, 2022 Jean Lafitte LS
		Jace's Road Quality Road	5.39	Brad H. Cox Florent Geroux	8th, 2022 Street Sense G3	Entered
Last Race		8th, 2022 Street Sense G3
		Hayes Strike Connect	4.27	Kenneth G. McPeek Brian J. Hernandez, Jr.	3rd, 2022 Kentucky Jockey Club G2	Entered
Last Race		3rd, 2022 Kentucky Jockey Club G2
		Determinedly Cairo Prince	4.67	Mark E. Casse Luis Saez	1st, CD MSW (11/26/22-R1)	Entered
Last Race		1st, CD MSW (11/26/22-R1)
		Andthewinneris Oscar Performance	5.56	Wayne M. Catalano Corey J. Lanerie	7th, 2022 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf G1	Entered
Last Race		7th, 2022 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf G1

Untapable, Fair Grounds, 1 mile, 70 yards, 2-year-old fillies, 10-4-3-2-1 Kentucky Oaks (G1) points

Pretty Mischievous won her first two starts before finishing third in the Golden Rod (G3), where she earned three Kentucky Oaks points. After two tries at Saratoga, Vahva broke her maiden with a three-length win last out at Churchill Downs. The Alys Look also broke her maiden on third try, winning at this track and distance Dec. 1.

2022 Untapable LS

Fin	Silks	Horse / Sire	Rating	Trainer / Jockey	Last Start / Next Start	Status
		Vahva Gun Runner	0.00	Cherie DeVaux Luis Saez	1st, CD MSW (11/26/22-R4)	Entered
Last Race		1st, CD MSW (11/26/22-R4)
		Two Minute Drill Union Rags	4	Jason Barkley James Graham	3rd, FG Allow (12/2/22-R6)	Entered
Last Race		3rd, FG Allow (12/2/22-R6)
		The Alys Look Connect	4	Brad H. Cox Florent Geroux	1st, FG MSW (12/1/22-R7) 2022 Untapable LS	Entered
Last Race Next Race		1st, FG MSW (12/1/22-R7) 2022 Untapable LS
		Pretty Mischievous Into Mischief	5	Brendan P. Walsh Brian J. Hernandez, Jr.	3rd, 2022 Golden Rod G2	Entered
Last Race		3rd, 2022 Golden Rod G2
		Miss Shipman Midshipman	0.00	Lonnie Briley Juan P. Vargas	1st, FG MSW (11/19/22-R6) 2022 Untapable LS	Entered
Last Race Next Race		1st, FG MSW (11/19/22-R6) 2022 Untapable LS
		Just Like Magic Good Magic	5	Thomas M. Amoss Edgar Morales	5th, CD AlwOC (11/27/22-R7) 2022 Untapable LS	Entered
Last Race Next Race		5th, CD AlwOC (11/27/22-R7) 2022 Untapable LS
		Hayunevano Goldencents	0.00	Sam B. David Jr. Marcelino Pedroza Jr.	1st, FG MSW (12/9/22-R8) 2022 Untapable LS	Entered
Last Race Next Race		1st, FG MSW (12/9/22-R8) 2022 Untapable LS
		Hang The Moon Uncle Mo	0.00	Michael Stidham Reylu Gutierrez	1st, Lrl MSW (10/8/22-R4) 2022 Untapable LS	Entered
Last Race Next Race		1st, Lrl MSW (10/8/22-R4) 2022 Untapable LS
		Cotton Candy Annie Sharp Azteca	4	Armando Hernandez Mitchell Murrill	1st, CD AlwOC (11/27/22-R7) 2022 Untapable LS	Entered
Last Race Next Race		1st, CD AlwOC (11/27/22-R7) 2022 Untapable LS
		All About Me California Chrome	0.00	Michael Stidham Colby J. Hernandez	2nd, FG Allow (12/2/22-R6) 2022 Untapable LS	Entered
Last Race Next Race		2nd, FG Allow (12/2/22-R6) 2022 Untapable LS