Cindy's Horse Racing Website Index
Latest Articles

 Derby Future Pool 5
 Tampa Bay Derby
 Santa Anita Hcp Day
 Gotham Stakes Day
 Kentucky Derby Contenders

Previewing Last Race Meet of 2020 US Calendar – Malibu Stakes

Date: 11/15/2020

The US horse racing calendar is galloping to a close, but there is still much to play for in the last race meets of the year.

Taking place on the 26th of December is the race that typically lights up the festive period, the Malibu Stakes. We take a look at who will snatch the Boxing Day bragging rights this time around.


A traditionally small field usually means punters enjoy trying to pick a winner at the Malibu Stakes.


Which trainer, jockey, and horse will see out 2020 with a much sought-after victory at Santa Anita Park?

Trainers Who Have Form at the Malibu Stakes

The undoubted king of the Malibu Stakes is Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella who has a whopping six wins at the meet that span all the way back to 1988.  

His most recent win was notched up just last year by Omaha Beach, who kicked sand in the face of the rest of the field. There is no doubt that as racing tipsters and experts begin to give their free picks and insightful tips, that a Richard Mandella trained horse will be hotly backed to bring home the proverbial bacon once again. 

Another trainer to keep an eye on is Bob Baffert, whose horses always run well at Santa Anita Park.

Jockeys Who Feel at Home at Santa Anita Park

The legend that is Bill Shoemaker holds the win record for this season ending meet, but with Bill passing away in 2003, it is down to the likes of Flavien Prat, Joe Talamo, and Mike Smith to duke it out for top spot on the podium.

Smith has won the race back-to-back in 2018 and 2019 and will be looking to do the hattrick in 2020. Few will bet against him to do so, even though he was strangely absent from the Breeders' Cup line-up this year.

Breeder’s Cup Successes Tend to Repeat at the Malibu

Typically, over the years those steeds that have ridden well at the Breeder’s Cup, and which happen to be based in California, tend to come home and perform solidly at the Malibu Stakes.

So, make sure to keep track of which horses looked to be at the top of their game in Kentucky, and who may even have more to give once they are back on their home turf, or dirt, for this grade 1 race.

Good luck with your picks!

Back to Horse-Races.Net main page

Search Horse-Races.Net:


©1994-2024,  Cindy Pierson Dulay   Privacy Policy   About Us   Search   Site Map   Add a Link   Advertisee   Suggest to a friend   RSS Feed   Follow on Twitter