Malibu

Many of the top three-year-old sprinters in the country have

come together for Sunday's Malibu S. (G1). The traditional opening-day feature

at Santa Anita, the seven-furlong test 2004 Kentucky Derby (G1) runners QUINTONS GOLD RUSH (Wild Rush) and MINISTER ERIC (Old Trieste) as well as the

return of ROCK HARD TEN (Kris S.), but we'll go against them all with MASS MEDIA

(Touch Gold). The Bobby Frankel-trained colt enters here off two wins in a

row, including a victory in the Sport Page H. (G3), an event run at this

distance, and looks tough to beat here as one of few sophomores that have been

running at this distance. The dark bay will have the services of Javier Castellano, who was aboard for the colt's last two.

Rock Hard Ten has been on the shelf since a disappointing sixth in the

Haskell Invitational H. (G1), when the dark bay was sent off as the 4-5

favorite. This will be the second time the oversized colt has tried the seven

furlong distance, as he broke his maiden at Santa Anita going seven-eighths.

Previously trained by Michael Orman, we think he may need one start before

trying the Grade 1 level again, but we can't completely go against the Grade 2 winner now

under the control of Richard Mandella. Gary Stevens returns after running second

to Smarty Jones in the Preakness S. (G1) the last time he rode.

Minister Eric had not been heard from since the Derby until returning to the

races last out in an optional claimer, finishing third to two of his foes here.

Still, we think the chestnut needed a freshening and got it there. That event

was run at 6 1/2 furlongs and should have hinted to the Richard Mandella trainee

of shorter distances to contend. He gets blinkers here and we'll have to use him

in the gimmicks.

The Richard Dutrow-trained LOVE OF MONEY (Not for Love) has not raced since

October, but recorded a huge BRIS Speed rating of 111 three back when taking an

allowance run over this distance. With Victor Espinoza in the irons, the Grade

2-winning dark

bay could steal it on the front end.

LAVA MAN (Slew City Slew) has really turned things around after being claimed

by conditioner Doug O'Neill in August. Since then, the gelding has not missed

the board, including a win in the Derby Trial S., and he steps up here but may

surprise. We'll use him in the exotics. O'Neill will also saddle PERFECT MOON

(Malibu Moon) for the Malibu, who may surprise as well while dropping back to a

sprint. JEFFRIES BAY (Gone West) steps up here as well but may get up for part

as the Jerry Hollendorfer trainee shows a line of 7-4-1-0.

Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas sends out GRAND REWARD (Storm Cat) for

his U.S. bow here and we have to go against as the bay has been off for two

months and will try the dirt for the first time. Recently switched to the Mike

Mitchell barn, Quintons Gold Rush will try a sprint for the first time here and

we'll just watch his first try going less than a mile.

STONE RAIN (Grindstone) enters here off a neck win over HARVARD AVENUE (You

and I) and Minister Eric, but the John Sadler trainee is jumping in class and

may be overmatched. Harvard Avenue appears in the same position as he has tried

tougher company with little success, and we'll go against. Mandella has a trio

of sophomores for the Malibu, and SPELLBINDER (Tale of the Cat) appears to be

the least experienced at this level. We'll give him a race.