Baffert has 4 and Asmussen has 3 for the Malibu Stakes at Santa Anita Park
The Grade 1, $300,000 Malibu Stakes is turning out to be a Bob Baffert versus Steven Asmussen competition, because between the two of them, the veteran trainers have seven of the 11 horses, set to race on the field on the 26th of December, 2011.
It certainly seems both these trainers don’t want to miss the chance of grabbing that mouth watering purse and a grade 1 status for one of their runners.
The Hall of Fame trainer, Bob Baffert, is going in with the Florida bred 3-year-old colt, Racing Aptitude, who is exiting a victory in the Yo Eleven Stakes at about seven and a half furlongs at Hollywood Park’s cushion track on 11 November, 2011.
Hoorayforhollywood is another Bob Baffert entrant, and the son of Storm Cat, out of mare Hollywood Story by Wild Rush, is coming off a second place finish in the 1 mile optional claimer at Santa Anita. Breaking his maiden at first asking, Hoorayforhollywood has a single win out of three starts altogether, with two second place finishes.
The 3-year-old Smash will also tangle with Asmussen’s colts, as he looks to win back to back races, while coming off a win in a six and a half furlong optional claimer for Bob Baffert.
The Factor will make his first start since finishing eighth in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Churchill Downs. The son of War Front has a grade 1 win under his belt, grabbing the Grade 1 Pat O’Brien Handicap at Del Mar, back in August.
For Steven Asmussen’s contingent, Wine Police is the one to look out for. He was second in the Jimmy V Stakes in the mud at Churchill Downs on 4 November, 2011. As a 2-year-old, Wine Police came close to winning the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes, but finished third.
The son of Arch, Rothko will be Asmussen’s second entry for the seven furlong dash at Santa Anita Park, and the rampant colt has won three races in a row with a margin of 15 lengths.
Last but not the least, Light up the Score, who has two straight wins by a combined margin of 4 ¼ lengths, is expected to show his class on the field as well.
Let's see how the Bob Baffert v. Steve Ammussen duel turns out on the 26th of December, 2011.
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