Malibu Secret attempts two turns in Marine Stakes

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Malibu Secret, a dominant maiden winner in his last start, will get his first test around two turns in Sunday’s Grade 3, $125,000 Marine Stakes for 3-year-olds over 1 1/16 miles on Tapeta at Woodbine.

Malibu Secret won his maiden by 2 3/4 lengths in his 3-year-old debut over seven furlongs on Tapeta on April 28. Trainer Malcolm Pierce said he was pleased with the effort and added that Malibu Secret has progressed nicely since his victory.

“I’ve been happy,” he said. “He’s had a couple of breezes since that race. I think he’s doing good. This will be a good test for his first two-turn race.”

Malibu Secret is one of four horses in the field nominated to the $1 million Queen’s Plate for Canadian-bred 3-year-olds on July 2, along with Channel Maker, Conquest Lemonraid, and Megagray. Pierce said the Marine would serve as Malibu Secret’s final prep for the Queen’s Plate, which is now just five weeks away.

“That’s the plan,” he said. “I nominated him to the Plate Trial, but I like the timing of the Marine rather than the Plate Trial.”

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Key Contenders

Malibu Secret, by Malibu Moon
Last 2 Beyers: 78-72

◗ Malibu Secret raced wide and closed into a slow pace under jockey Eurico Da Silva in his maiden win.

◗ He’s bred to appreciate the stretch-out and should benefit by having speed to chase.

Channel Maker, by English Channel
Last 3 Beyers: 81-78-71

◗ He will make his first start on Tapeta after racing exclusively on turf through the first seven starts of his career.

◗ He was second in his most recent start in an allowance at Keeneland. He finished a neck in front of Avie’s Mesa, who came back to record an 86 Beyer Speed Figure on Tapeta here May 13.

Conquest Lemonraid, by Lemon Drop Kid
Last 3 Beyers: 83-58-37

◗ He made a strong return from an extended layoff by winning an allowance over Queen’s Plate prospect Guy Caballero on May 7 with an 83 Beyer. He pressed the pace from the outside in that event and could find himself forwardly placed on the stretch-out.

Megagray, by Langfuhr
Last 3 Beyers: 74-73-60

◗ He ran third behind King and His Court and Tiz a Slam in the Wando Stakes on May 7, his first start of the year. He stalked the pace in the Wando and was outkicked in the stretch by two rivals who likely had a fitness edge after racing over the winter.

Montu, by Dialed In

Last 3 Beyers: 69-76-70

◗ He faded to fifth after setting the pace in the Wando Stakes. He has shown speed in the past, including in his win in the Rushaway Stakes at Turfway Park in March, and could find himself controlling the race from the outset again.

◗ Trainer Mike Doyle won the Grade 3 Selene Stakes for 3-year-old fillies last weekend with Grizzel.