How to bet the 2023 Malibu Stakes

A superb field of eight sophomores will run seven-eighths on the Santa Anita main oval in Tuesday’s $300,000 Malibu S. (G1). Trainer Bob Baffert will saddle a trio of the contenders in the cast, and I expect the conditioner to have a big say in the outcome of the dash. 

Malibu Wagers

• $30 win #7 Hejazi ($30)
• $10 exacta box 2-7 ($20)
• 50-cent trifecta 2,7 with 2,3,7 with all ($12)

I’ve been waiting for Baffert’s #7 Hejazi to start looking like the $3.55 million that he fetched at auction as a juvenile, and the son of Bernardini gave a glimpse in his fantastic allowance tally on the oval during Breeders’ Cup Weekend. Bred in the Empire State, the dark bay colt made easy work of a very good horse most recently and has posted five solid morning works in the interim, led by a bullet six panels in his latest drill.

Hejazi is drawn outside of the other major pace in the field, and I expect him to get a very good trip while just off of the early leaders to the top of the lane. Juan Hernandez retains the ride atop the Zedan color bearer. 

#2 Fort Bragg has found his niche as a one-turn horse, and a high-quality one at that. Conditioned by Baffert, the son of Tapit was a close third in the Santa Anita Sprint Championship (G2) in his latest venture on this course two back, and he seems poised for a big effort on Tuesday if he runs to his bullet five-furlong morning move leading up to this heat. Irad Ortiz Jr. has the assignment and will put the bay Kentucky-bred into the mix from the opening bell. 

Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) fourth #3 Speed Boat Beach, also from the Baffert shedrow, is the likely one to catch with Flavien Prat in the stirrups. The Bayern colt has registered triple-digit Brisnet Speed figures in each of his three lifetime tries on the dirt, and the lightly-raced colt continues to train forwardly in hopes of picking up his initial graded win on the dirt. The $200,000 purchase wouldn’t be a surprise on this occasion.