Very Ironic Leads a Competitive Group in the G1 Malibu

The Grade 1 Malibu Sprint is an exciting feature on the California Stakes schedule with many of the top west coast trainers aiming their top three year old sprinters for it each season.  This year’s edition promises to be no less exciting with nine Graded winners entered including the #3 ranked VERY IRONIC (stormboot2) as well as the speedy AL KHARI (tihsho).  The sun will be shining and the track dry and fast. Without further delay let’s handicap this field and make our selections.  Good luck to All!

 

VERY IRONIC

Distorted Humor x Storm Cat x A.P. Indy  …  Owner:  stormboot2  (8-1)

This handsome son of Distorted Humor comes out of the highly competitive G1 Breeders Bowl Sprint in which he faced older opponents for the first time.  Although gaining at the end it was clear he was overmatched and this spot is easier in comparison.  In New York three starts back he squared off with several that are in here today over seven panels.  Using a stalking style he closed with vigor but missed  by less than a length on the wire. That day BOUNCING BETTY got the measure of him but he’ll be looking to turn the tables this time around.  I expect a similar stalking trip while staying more forward as he keeps the leader in his crosshairs culminating with an explosive closing move.  A strong contender!

 

MOONLIT TRAIL 

 Malibu Moon x Seeking The Gold x Northern Dancer (CAN)  …  Owner:  ticketman3  (9-1)

A son of Malibu Moon this strapping chestnut colt keeps getting better and better.  Today’s distance is right in his wheel house and I expect him to have a say in the outcome before it’s all said and done.  He comes out of a series of Graded New York events in which he accounted himself well with him just missing most recently in a Grade 3 by a mere head.  You can see that he’s starting to figure it all out and it’s only a matter of time before he breaks through for his first Graded win.  Would not be a surprise to me here!

 

MARTIAN SEA

Dansili (GB) x Diesis (GB) x Kingmambo  …  Owner:  mrbigb  (9-1)

With thirteen career turf starts to his credit it’s no surprise to see this Dansili colt here on the dirt today as he boasts a perfect 3 for 3 record on the dirt with his most recent foray coming in the Grade 3 Camelot Road Stakes.  In each of these impressive dirt wins he’s closed rapidly to easily corral his opponent and win going away at distances up to six and half furlongs.  Today he gets an extra half panel to work with and that will only help his cause as will the services of top jockey B. Scott who rode him to victory last time out.  A serious contender to take it all and may be the one to beat!

 

PEGLEG PARROT

Fusaichi Pegasus x Kingmambo x Deputy Minister (CAN)  …  Owner:  jrouge  (10-1)

Like another in here this son of Fusaichi Pegagsus simply relishes both surfaces and comes in to this race having won three of five on the dirt including the Grade 3 Bluegrass Sprint Cup over six furlongs three starts back.  Most recently he finished  off the board in a mad scramble as a mere two lengths separated the top eight finishers.  Wow!  Today he gets an extra furlong to work with and his style suggests that he may be able to capitalize as a result.  He rarely gets respect on the tote board and represents tremendous value on the morning line.  Hard to keep off your exotic plays!

 

ELECTION DAY

Henny Hughes x Malibu Moon x Allen’s Prospect  …  Owner:  dynamformer  (11-1)

One of my favorite stallions offers this robust son who is just starting to figure it all out.  He comes in to the G1 Malibu on a two race win streak with the most recent one coming in Grade 3 JFK Street Stakes over six furlongs of sloppy track.  With not a cloud in the sky he won’t move up with weather however he has demonstrated a liking for seven furlongs in the past and that in combination with employing the services of top jockey H. Harzheim have indeed made his connections positively giddy.

 

OF HAMILTON

Hussonet x Ghostzapper x Nijinsky 2nd (CAN)  …  Owner:  newastin5  (12-1)

Like for another in this field you can throw that last one out as it came against older horses in the G1 Breeders Bowl Sprint.  Prior to that effort this robust son of Hussonet  had a tremendous summer campaign which included a victory in the seven furlong Grade 2 The Stephen Woody where he posted his career high 112 as well as another Grade 2 event.  Well rested now he’ll be coming from out of it like several others in this field so it should make for a wildly exciting finish as they scramble for the wire.  Sound the charge!

 

AL KHARI

Dubawi x Storm Cat x Mr. Prospector  …  Owner:  tihsho  (6-1)

This striking son of Dubawi is looking for his first taste of success at the Graded level.  AL has had two attempts in the past where he simply was not good enough but the most recent one was in August.  He has now shown signs that he’s grown into his large frame and has matured given his most recent results.  He comes in to this race off a minor Stakes win at today’s distance over which he performed spectacularly posting a 115 while wiring the field.  Given the lack of genuine speed in this edition of the Malibu this has to bolster his chances to steal it all and must be respected.  His connections have engaged high percentage jockey J. Piotrowski to help bring him home a winner.

 

TOO MUCH MIKE

Too Much Bling x Dixie Union x A.P. Indy  …  Owner:  gmen  (10-1)

This handsome roan son of Too Much Bling may be indeed too much to handle at least that what his connections are hoping for.  He has improved his race rating with successive start with his most recent race earning a new high of 112 in the Grade 2 The Bettis Handicap over a mile of ground.  In that event he chose to stalk and ran evenly to finish third beaten by two lengths.  Three starts back he won a minor Stakes event over today’s distance winning by a measured head so we know he can get the distance.

 

HUNTERS FOLLY

Zabeel (NZ) x A.P. Arrow x Fusaichi Pegasus  …  Owner:  whippinboy  (11-1)

This son of Zabeel comes back on only twenty days rest after competing in the Grade 3 Uncle Vernon Stakes over six furlongs.  Though he finished fourth in that event he was beaten on a length and a quarter while only posting a 105.  More telling is his second start back where he won a minor KY Stakes over today’s distance while putting up a 110 and looking good doing it.  Though I can’t be sure of which horse we’ll get on race day what I can say with certainty is that he’ll give it his all as this fella has heart!

 

ZA AH TABAI

Zabeel (NZ) x Mizwaki x Mill Reef  …  Owner:  dannejaka5  (18-1)

After a less than enthusiastic start to his career on the lawn this son of Zabeel  was switched to the dirt where he discovered success quickly.  Reeling off four consecutive wins with ever increasing race ratings he stumbled slightly in the Grade 3 Fall Midweight Handicap where he surrendered the lead late at six panels.  Two starts back in a minor Stakes he took a lead that he never relinquished over seven furlongs while putting up an impressive 113.  If he can repeat that performance he will have a big shot today at tasting the bubbly.

 

PAR PAR BOGEY

Pulpit x Silver Train x Gone West  …  Owner:  whocares  (10-1)

Aside from having a cool name this son of Pulpit is no stranger to competing in Graded company.  Prior to his last start he reeled off nine consecutive Graded appearances of which four were Grade One’s however today he’s trying to do something he’s never done before and that’s sprinting.  He has enjoyed success running over a distance of ground but today cuts back to seven furlongs having never tried less than a mile ever.  He comes in to this event off eleven furlongs and just three starts back won a Grade 3 event over nine furlongs.  He will need to reconsider his racing tactics in this spot and the outcome will sure to be of interest to all as he is the wild card in this affair.

 

TAX SUMMARY

Redoute’s Choice (AUS) x Storm Cat x Forty Niner  …  Owner:  debsestate  (10-1)

After enjoying success sprinting on the dirt the connections of this son of Redoute’s Choice tried him on the lawn over which he accounted himself well.  However that experiment is now over and he finds himself back in Graded company navigating seven panels of dirt.  Back in the Spring he won the Grade 3 Lazaro Stakes at today’s distance and comes out of a six furlong minor Stake in which he wanted more ground and gets it here today.  He would be no surprise here and just may be ready to show that he belongs on the dirt to stay.

 

BOUNCING BETTY

Empire Maker x Storm Cat x Alydar  …  Owner:  chloedawg  (10-1)

This handsome son of Empire Maker makes a beautiful appearance but he’s a tale of two horses of late.  Just three starts back he won the Grade 32 Princes Knight’s Stakes at today’s distance leaving three Grade 1 winners in his wake while posting a sharp 116.  Prior to that one he ran second in the seven furlong Grade 2 The Stephen Woody behind only OF HAMILTON who he meets again here.  The other tales starts and stops with is last two races and he is clearly not the same horse he was earlier in the year.  Perhaps getting back to his preferred distance is the tonic he needs to get untracked.  On the fence over him.

 

BZZT CADET

Buzzword (GB) x Mizwaki x Capote  …  Owner:  tazula  (12-1)

Now here’s a horse who unlike the balance of the field is looking to prove he belongs.  This son of Buzzword has never competed at a level higher than a minor Stake but takes the plunge today and has not found an easy spot to do so.  This group though young is seasoned and will prove difficult for him to handle right out of the box.  He’ll be one to tab for later and the experience will do him a great deal of good in the long run.

 

 

Hladun’s Selections …

1.   AL KHARI  (tihsho)  6-1

2.   MARTIAN SEA   (mrbigb)  9-1

3.   VERY IRONIC  (stormboot2)  8-1

LONGSHOT PLAY:   OF HAMILTON  (newastin5)  12-1