Clement could get ambitious with stakes winner Governor Malibu

OZONE PARK, N.Y. – After defeating fellow New York-breds in Saturday’s Gander Stakes at Aqueduct, the 3-year-old Governor Malibu will step into open company for his next start, trainer Christophe Clement said Monday.

Where and when that will occur will be determined at a later date.

“I really don’t know yet,” Clement said Monday from Payson Park in Florida, where Governor Malibu was due to ship Wednesday. “I know all the races, ambitious to less ambitious. We’ll shop around.”

From a timing perspective, the Grade 3, $400,000 Gotham Stakes on March 5 at Aqueduct and the Grade 2, $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby on March 12 would seem like the logical spots should Clement want to get ambitious with the son of Malibu Moon. The $75,000 Private Terms on March 12 at Laurel Park would be among the races that would fit into the less-ambitious schedule.

“I want to see how he comes out of it, how he trains,” Clement said. “We’ll keep him eligible to everything.”

In the Gander, Governor Malibu wore blinkers for the first time and pressed the moderate pace established by Sudden Surprise. Governor Malibu hadn’t run since winning a Nov. 14 maiden race at Aqueduct by six lengths.

Clement said he felt that Governor Malibu “trained a touch lazy at Payson Park,” so he put blinkers on the colt for his final work before the Gander and liked what he saw.

Governor Malibu, owned by Jump Sucker Stable and Oak Bluff Stable, earned an 81 Beyer Speed Figure for his victory in the Gander Stakes, in which he ran a mile and 70 yards in 1:44.78.