Malibu features 12

The 53rd running of the Malibu S. (G1) has attracted a field of 12 and

highlights Sunday's opening day card at Santa Anita. The 70-year-old track,

which is situated beneath the picturesque backdrop of the San Gabriel Mountains

in Arcadia, California, will offer 85 days of racing during its winter/spring

meeting. It runs through April 18.

The seven-furlong Malibu is the first leg of the Strub series for

four-year-olds of 2005 that also features the San Fernando Breeders' Cup S. (G2)

and Strub S. (G2). Top draws include Swaps Breeders' Cup S. (G2) winner and

Preakness S. (G1) runner-up ROCK HARD TEN (Kris S.), who will make his first

start since an unplaced finish in August's Haskell Invitational H. (G1). Now

trained by Richard Mandella, the dark bay will be re-united with former rider

Gary Stevens and breaks from post 11. To his outside is another Mandella

trainee, 2002 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) runner-up MINISTER ERIC (Old Trieste),

who will be ridden by Hollywood Park's leading jockey Rene Douglas.

Breaking from the rail is Pennsylvania Derby (G2) hero LOVE OF MONEY (Not for

Love), who has shipped west for conditioner Richard Dutrow Jr. and will make his

first start since an unplaced outing as the favorite in the Jockey Club Gold Cup

(G1). Group 2-placed GRAND REWARD (Storm Cat), who is out of champion Serena's

Song, will make his U.S. bow in the Malibu. Another contender is the Bobby

Frankel-trained MASS MEDIA (Touch Gold), who exits a 3 1/2-length romp in the

Sport Page H. (G3).

The Malibu contestants, from rail with riders and imposts, are Love of Money,

Victor Espinoza, 121; Mass Media, Javier Castellano, 119; HARVARD AVENUE (You

and I), Garrett Gomez, 115; STONE RAIN (Grindstone), Martin Pedroza, 115;

JEFFRIES BAY (Gone West), Jose Valdivia Jr., 117; Grand Reward, Tyler Baze, 115;

PERFECT MOON (Malibu Moon), Mike Smith, 115; SPELLBINDER (Tale of the Cat),

David Flores, 115; LAVA MAN (Slew City Slew), Jon Court, 115; QUINTONS GOLD RUSH

(Wild Rush), Edgar Prado, 121; Rock Hard Ten; and Minister Eric, 115.