Malibu highlights Santa Anita winter/spring meet opener

Malibu highlights Santa Anita winter/spring meet opener

A small but select group of seven will get Santa Anita's winter/spring meet rolling

Friday in the $250,000

Malibu S.

(G1), the first leg of the Strub Series for the soon-to-be four-year-olds of

2009. The series continues with the $150,000 San Fernando S. (G2) at 1 1/16

miles on January 17 and the $250,000 Strub S. (G2)over nine furlongs on February

7. This is one of two traditional paths toward the annual highlight of the

84-day session, the $1 million Santa Anita H. (G1) over 1 1/4 miles on March 7.

One who might not make it past the seven-furlong Malibu is INTO MISCHIEF

(Harlan's Holiday), whose retirement following Friday's race is a strong

possibility. Last year's CashCall Futurity (G1) winner has had an abbreviated

two-race campaign this year. Second in the February 10 San Vicente S. (G2), Into

Mischief made a highly impressive return to the track on the October 25

Breeders' Cup undercard, taking the seven-furlong Damascus S. by two lengths.

Victor Espinoza, who has ridden the colt in all five of his starts, will be back

aboard the Dick Mandella trainee.

Colonel John plans to use the Malibu as a launching pad to the San Fernando (Charles Pravata/Horsephotos.com) COLONEL JOHN (Tiznow), the Santa Anita Derby (G1) and Travers S. (G1) winner, cuts back to a one-turn trip for the first time since his maiden score here last October. Absent for two months following the Travers, Colonel John flattened out after a making a middle move in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), finishing sixth in the international field of 12. Garrett Gomez, aboard for victories in the Travers and Sham S. (G3) will get a leg-up from trainer Eoin Harty. GEORGIE BOY (Tribal Rule), a Triple Crown candidate last spring until he was derailed by infirmities, hopes to improve on his fourth in the Damascus following a seven-month absence. He concluded his juvenile campaign with a score in the Del Mar Futurity (G1), then won the San Vicente and San Felipe S. (G2) here for trainer Kathy Walsh.

The rest of the Malibu field consists of BOB BLACK JACK (Stormy Jack), the

speedy runner-up in the Santa Anita Derby who tired to fifth in the November 22

Vernon O. Underwood S. (G3) in his first attempt since the Kentucky Derby (G1);

Carry Back S. (G2) winner GOLDEN SPIKES (Seeking the Gold), who will attempt to

rebound off of a loss in an overnight stakes at Calder; NOWNOWNOW (Whywhywhy),

winless since taking the inaugural Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf last year; and

the seemingly overmatched GUNS ON THE TABLE (Carson City), who passed his first

allowance condition in his most recent start.

Two other stakes complement the Malibu card, including the $100,000

Sir

Beaufort S. (G3) for three-year-olds over a mile on turf. GIO PONTI (Tale of

the Cat), victor of the Virginia Derby (G2) earlier this year, drew the 12-hole

and might find it difficult to rebound from a disappointing seventh in the

Hollywood Derby (G1) a month ago.

Other notables in the Sir Beaufort are La Jolla H. (G2) winner SKY CAPE (Najran),

unraced since finishing seventh in the Del Mar Derby (G2) on August 31; EL GATO

MALO (El Corredor), who makes his turf debut following earlier main-track

victories in the San Rafael S. (G3) and Lone Star Derby (G3); Baldwin S. (G3)

victor TEN MEROPA (Johannesburg); the Grade 2-placed LIBERIAN FREIGHTER

(Bertrando); and IL GIRASOLE (Lemon Drop Kid), who beat subsequent Grade 2

winner Adriano (A.P. Indy) in his debut prior to winning a first-level allowance

at Hollywood following a 16-month layoff.

Friday's stakes action kicks off with the $125,000

California

Breeders' Champion S. for state-bred two-year-olds.

The ones to beat in the seven-furlong Pro-Ride feature are FEISTY SUANCES (Suances

[GB]), who is undefeated in three starts, and UNBRIDLED ROMAN (Roman Dancer), a

late-charging winner of his debut at Hollywood on November 9.

There will be a special post time of noon (PST) on Friday.