O'Neill hopes to have trio for trip to Dubai

With a measure of good fortune, California-based trainer Doug O’Neill could send three horses to the Middle East for the Dubai World Cup program on April 5, including Anarchist who has his 2025 debut in Saturday’s Grade 3 Palos Verdes Stakes for sprinters at Santa Anita.

O’Neill said on Thursday that Raging Torrent, the winner of the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita on Dec. 26, has been invited to Dubai for the Group 2 Godolphin Mile, a $1 million race.

Mixto, fourth in the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 25, is a candidate for the $12 million Dubai World Cup although O’Neill said the 5-year-old horse has yet to receive an official invitation.

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“Him running fourth in the Pegasus is a good thing,” O’Neill said. “I think his credentials give him a chance.”

Anarchist will need a sharp performance in the $100,000 Palos Verdes Stakes at six furlongs to gain an invitation to the Group 1 Golden Shaheen, a $2 million race at six furlongs at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai.

The Palos Verdes will be Anarchist’s first start since he finished a well-beaten third in the Group 3 Korea Sprint in South Korea in September. O’Neill considered Anarchist for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Del Mar last November before removing the now 6-year-old horse from consideration in mid-October.

“We gave him time off for the Korea race,” O’Neill said. “I’m happy with his recent work.

“I think he’s back. But it’s hard to simulate a race in the morning.”

Owned by Ilium Stables, Anarchist worked five furlongs from the gate at Santa Anita twice earlier this month – in 1:00 on Feb. 2 and in 1:01.80 on Sunday.

In the Palos Verdes, which drew a field of six, Anarchist starts from post 2, with the five-time stakes winner Big City Lights to his inside. Big City Lights, winner of the 2024 Palos Verdes, is considered a candidate for the Golden Shaheen and will be a strong favorite on Saturday.

Edwin Maldonado rides Anarchist.

“If he has a big strong effort, an invitational to Dubai would be a great situation,” O’Neill said.

Anarchist, who has won 3 of 15 starts in his career, was winless in three starts last year. Anarchist won the Grade 2 Pat O’Brien Stakes at seven furlongs at Del Mar in August 2023, his most recent win.

O’Neill expects Anarchist to race near the front in the Palos Verdes.

“We always say he’s such a fighter,” O’Neill said. “He’s not a huge stretch run horse. He’s got to be up in there at the top of the stretch.”

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