Santa Anita opens with Malibu fever

Wilko is a prime contender in Monday's Malibu (Lauren Pomeroy/Horsephotos.com)

The seven-furlong Malibu S. (G1) has become a staple on Santa Anita's opening

day program and an excellent field of 14 is set for this year's event,

including WILKO (Awesome Again), GREELEY'S GALAXY (Mr. Greeley), ATTILA'S STORM

(Forest Wildcat) and FUSAICHI ROCK STAR (Wild Wonder). Restricted to foals of

2002, the Malibu is the first leg of the Strub series, which also

consists of the January 14 San Fernando Breeders' Cup S. (G2) and February 4

Strub S. (G2).

The last two Malibu winners, Rock Hard Ten and Southern Image, went on

to win the $1 million Santa Anita H. (G1) in early March, and many in this

year's field have the same aspirations. Wilko, who will break from the far

outside with jockey Corey Nakatani, made a name for himself with a

victory in the 2004 Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) and finished a good third in

last year's Santa Anita Derby (G1) before unplaced efforts in the Kentucky Derby

(G1) and Preakness (G1). Freshened until December, Wilko received a smart

tune-up in the six-furlong Larkspur S. at Golden Gate, finishing fast to be a

close third. Greeley's Galaxy was a superb maiden and allowance winner at Santa

Anita last winter before smacking his Illinois Derby (G2) rivals with a 9

1/2-length romp in only his fourth lifetime start. Trained by Warren Stute, the

flashy chestnut will make his first appearance since running seventh in the

Preakness in the contentious Malibu.

Attila's Storm and Fusaichi Rock Star are more confirmed sprinters than their

aforementioned rivals, but both remain very dangerous. The former recorded a

commendable fourth, beaten 3 1/4 lengths, when making his graded bow in the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1)

and followed it with a game score in the Fall Highweight H. last out. Bob

Baffert trainee Fusaichi Rock Star showed his affinity for the Arcadia,

California, track with a nice win in the seven-furlong San Vicente S. (G2) last

February and has trained forwardly for the Malibu, posting two bullet

six-furlong works and a swift four-furlong drill (:46 2/5) in the previous 16

days.

 Trainer Richard Mandella, who saddled Rock Hard Ten to a come-from-behind

victory last year, will send out a pair of challengers in 2005, including Canadian

Grade 3 winner UNBRIDLED ENERGY (Unbridled's Song), who also finished second in

the Northern Dancer Breeders' Cup S. (G3) at Churchill Downs. The Hall of Fame

conditioner also has Grade 3 winner OSIDY (Storm Cat), who will make his first

dirt start in his 11th career attempt and will run coupled due to common

ownership with Greeley's Galaxy.

The complete field, from the rail with jockeys and weights, is THOR'S ECHO (Swiss Yodeler),

Victor Espinoza, 121; Greeley's Galaxy, Kent Desormeaux, 121; YES HE'S A PISTOL

(Yes It's True), Rene Douglas, 115; Attila's Storm, Pat Valenzuela, 119; SHAMOAN (Ire) (Monashee Mountain),

Jose Valdivia Jr., 119; PROUD TOWER TOO (Proud Irish), David Cohen, 119;

Unbridled Energy, Garrett Gomez, 117; JACK'S WILD (Lil Tyler), Kerwin John, 115;

ALEXANDERSRUN (Sweetsouthernsaint), Martin Pedroza, 115; DILIGENT PROSPECT

(Diligence), Jon Court, 115; Fusaichi Rock Star, Shinji Fujita, 117; NINETY FINE (Event of the

Year), Javier Santiago, 115; Osidy, Alex Solis, 117; and Wilko, 115.