Malibu Alex can move forward in Lost in the Fog Stakes

Racing luck and a clean trip could be the keys as seven evenly matched runners meet in Monday’s $50,000 Lost in the Fog Stakes at six furlongs at Golden Gate Fields.

The field includes Chips All In, who has won six stakes; Star Student, who has won the past two editions of the Oakland Stakes at six furlongs over this track; and four stakes-placed runners. The seventh runner, Malibu Alex, has run only three times but has won his two sprint starts.

Entrants Star Student, Indian Brut, and Mah Gellin ran 1-2-3 in last November’s Oakland Stakes.

Trainer Billy Morey, who spotted Malibu Alex as a yearling in the November Keeneland sale, saw him win his debut here as a newly turned 3-year-old last year and then run fifth in a one-mile race. The gelding went to the sidelines for 10 months due to various minor problems before returning to win an allowance here last month.

“I didn’t think about this race until he crossed the finish line first,” said Morey. “This is a tough field, but there are no super monsters in there.”

The sharpest horse is Quick and Silver, whose lone loss in his past five starts was in the Oakland Stakes. The speedster won his 2017 debut sitting second behind blazing fractions but likely will be on the lead from the rail Monday.

“That race is going to be tough,” said his trainer, Bill Delia, “but he’s been running lights-out and firing every time.”

Star Student followed up his repeat win in the Oakland with a second to Chips All In, who will be making his first start since that Dec. 10 victory, and a fourth behind Quick and Silver on Jan. 8, when he made up little ground against a tough headwind in the stretch.

“I hope they go fast enough the first half-mile to set things up for him,” said trainer Dan Markle.

Lost in the Fog (Race 7)

Key contenders

Malibu Alex, by Afleet Alex
Last 3 Beyers: 83-63-62

◗ He’ll offer plenty of value and turned in a huge effort following 10 months on the sidelines. He’ll have to improve, but this lightly raced gelding has plenty of upside.

Quick and Silver, by Dunkirk
Last 3 Beyers: 91-80-88

◗ There’s no secret strategy with this rail-drawn speedster. He’ll be gunning early, and he’s proven tough to catch. He sat off suicidal fractions last time, but he’ll likely be in front early here.

Star Student, by Student Council
Last 3 Beyers: 76-87-90

◗ He’ll need a clean trip from off the pace, but his rider has guided him to two stakes wins here.