ARCADIA, Calif. — Raging Torrent triumphed in the $200,000 Malibu Stakes on Thursday at Santa Anita, finishing 1 1/4 lengths ahead of the competition. The race marked the conclusion of the Grade 1 stakes season in the United States, with Kentucky Derby champion Mystik Dan trailing in last place.
With Frankie Dettori in the saddle, Raging Torrent completed the seven-furlong race in a swift 1:21.54, emerging as the 5-2 favorite in a six-horse field. The event drew a crowd of 41,562, coinciding with the opening day of Santa Anita’s 90th anniversary winter meet. Winning trainer Doug O’Neill expressed confidence in his horse: “We really believed we were the best horse going into the race. His training sessions have been outstanding.”
Mystik Dan, who had recently won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, struggled during this outing. The 3-year-old colt made his first appearance since placing eighth in the Belmont Stakes last June. Stronghold, who finished seventh in the Kentucky Derby, came in second place. Meanwhile, three trainees from Bob Baffert rounded out the top five, finishing third, fourth, and fifth: Imagination, Pilot Commander, and Winterfell.
During the stretch run, an inquiry was conducted regarding the interaction between Imagination and Pilot Commander. The stewards determined that while Imagination veered out and made contact with Pilot Commander, it did not alter the final results, and no changes were made.
Dettori celebrated the victory with his signature flying dismount in the bustling winner’s circle. He acknowledged the competitive nature of the race, particularly with Mystik Dan in the field. “Of course, I had concerns about Mystik Dan, but I felt today was our day to win,” Dettori noted. “My horse was exceptional at seven-eighths, and he displayed that perfectly.”
This race was a significant sprint for Mystik Dan, marking his first at such a short distance in over a year. He was the first active Kentucky Derby winner to appear at Santa Anita since California Chrome made his run in 2015. After narrowly winning the Derby, Mystik Dan also placed second in the Preakness.
Jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. reflected on the experience, stating, “He broke well, but it felt like we were always in pursuit. I think the shorter distance was challenging for him. After running a mile and a quarter, it’s hard to adjust back to seven-eighths. The horse is in good shape.”
In other races, Kopion pulled off a significant upset in the $300,000 La Brea Stakes, winning by 2 3/4 lengths. The 3-year-old filly raced the seven-furlong distance in 1:22.08 under the guidance of jockey Kazushi Kimura, paying a whopping $77.40 to win the Grade 1 event.
She Feels Pretty secured victory in the $300,000 American Oaks for 3-year-old fillies, finishing 2 1/2 lengths ahead of her rivals. Trained by Cherie DeVaux and ridden by John Velazquez, She Feels Pretty completed the 1 1/4-mile race in 1:58.69, delivering a win at $3.20 as the favorite.
Johannes, heavily favored at 1-5, rallied to clinch the $200,000 San Gabriel Stakes by three-quarters of a length. Under the guidance of Umberto Rispoli, the 4-year-old colt completed the 1 1/8-mile turf race in 1:46.50, bringing home $2.60 for trainer Tim Yakteen.
Additionally, 16-1 long shot J B Strikes Back achieved victory in the newly renamed $200,000 Laffit Pincay Jr. Stakes, finishing 1 1/4 lengths ahead. Ridden by Antonio Fresu, the 3-year-old gelding completed the 1 1/16-mile race in 1:43.80, rewarding his backers with a payout of $34.80. Trained by Doug O’Neill, J B Strikes Back is owned by Purple Rein Racing, part of Janie Buss’s racing stable. Janie’s late father, Jerry Buss, famously owned the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers, currently held under the management of her sister, Jeanie Buss. O’Neill’s other horse, the 3-2 favorite Katonah, finished in sixth place.
