Malibu: Charlatan, returning from layoff, runs into buzz saw named Nashville

ARCADIA, Calif. – The buzz of an ontrack crowd will be missing on opening day of the Santa Anita winter meet, but another reliable tradition continues the day after Christmas – a blockbuster card that includes the Grade 1 Runhappy Malibu Stakes to launch the season.

The Malibu, a seven-furlong sprint for 3-year-olds, is one of five graded stakes Saturday as a strange 2020 fades away. Opening day at Santa Anita offers a fresh start. “The old year is out, it’s the start of a new year, and the excitement,” trainer Bob Baffert said. “Unfortunately, with no fans, it’s going to be weird.”

What’s not weird is the quality of the seven-furlong Malibu and the brilliance of the favorites – local comebacker Charlatan, trained by Baffert, and Midwest speedster Nashville, trained by Steve Asmussen. Each has raced three times, neither has been headed.

Charlatan’s three romps include the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby in May, a race from which he later was disqualified for a medication violation. An ankle injury knocked him off the Triple Crown trail, but he has worked well for his first start since May.

“We know he’s brilliant, you just hope they pick up where they left off,” Baffert said, acknowledging the Malibu is no easy spot for Charlatan. “I would feel better if Nashville wasn’t in there.”

Nashville has emerged as one of the country’s most exciting sprinters, albeit untested, while earning triple-digit Beyers in both his recent starts. The Malibu is his first graded race, first in California, and the first time Nashville will face serious competition after winning three races by more than 24 lengths combined.

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“Basically, he’s worked three times,” Asmussen said. “But he’s worked very impressively, I might add.”

Charlatan and Nashville top a Malibu field that is deep beyond the favorites. Independence Hall, the country’s fastest 2019 juvenile based on a 101-Beyer romp at Aqueduct in the Grade 3 Nashua, benefits from a comeback prep and could tuck into an opportunistic trip positioned third behind the favorites.

Collusion Illusion, a Grade 1-winning closer, drops out of the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Thousand Words, a graded stakes-winning stablemate of Charlatan, shortens from a route and will rally late. Express Train, an entry-level allowance winner, also will rally.

The Malibu, race 10, is the final graded race Saturday. The Grade 1 American Oaks for turf fillies is race 9; Sharing is favored. The Grade 1 La Brea, race 8, is the filly version of the Malibu with Asmussen-trained Finite, upset candidate Biddy Duke, and four Baffert trainees. The Grade 2 San Antonio for 3-year-olds and up is race 7, topped by Sharp Samurai and Mucho Gusto. The Grade 2 Mathis Brothers Mile, for 3-year-olds on turf, is race 4. Smooth Like Strait is favored.

Baffert said Charlatan “could use a race, his next race will be better,” though he said the same thing before Charlatan made his career debut in February and romped in 1:08.85 for six furlongs. “He’s always shown more in the afternoon than he does in the morning,” Baffert said.

Mike Smith rides Charlatan, who makes his first start since arthroscopic ankle surgery in spring. He breaks from post 4, and figures for a pressing trip directly outside Nashville. Smith has won the Malibu four times, including 2018 and 2019 with McKinzie and Omaha Beach. Baffert is 3 for 46 in the Malibu, including wins with McKinzie and in 2013 with Shakin It Up, who won returning from a layoff similar to Charlatan’s.

Nashville is pure speed, with the highest recent speed figures. After impressive wins in his first two starts, he was pre-entered in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint before his connections opted for the Perryville Stakes at Keeneland on the BC Saturday undercard. He won geared down in 1:07.89 for six furlongs.

“As easy as he won the maiden race and his second race, the reason we didn’t want to run in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint was knowing we still had this opportunity for a Grade 1 in the Malibu,” Asmussen explained. Ricardo Santana Jr. rides Nashville.

Independence Hall has targeted the Malibu since he resumed training in summer with new trainer Michael McCarthy. Independence Hall earned the highest Beyer Figure by a 2019 juvenile, then tailed off in winter. In spring and summer, he grew up, filled out and returned last month with a solid allowance win at Del Mar under Smith.

“He was one sharp work away from being at his best, and it didn’t seem to matter,” McCarthy said. “Mike set him down, he came running through the lane, galloped out well, and has trained very well since.”

Joel Rosario takes over for Smith, and McCarthy sees the potential for a perfect trip. “I have to think [Nashville and Charlatan] are going to go at it,” he said. “I’d love to tuck in right behind.”

Independence Hall has won four of six starts.

Collusion Illusion won the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes in summer at Del Mar. Last out, he finished 12th in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Seven of the last nine Malibu winners exited a BC race (from 14 BC-to-Malibu runners). Mark Glatt trains, Flavien Prat rides.

– additional reporting by Jay Privman