Sant Anita: Baffert may go three-deep for Malibu

The Malibu is one of three stakes on Santa Anita’s opening-day program, joined by the $300,000 La Brea Stakes for 3-year-old fillies over seven furlongs and the $200,000 Sir Beaufort Stakes over a mile on turf for 3-year-olds.

Trainer Bob Baffert could have three runners in the Grade 1 Malibu – Flashback, Shakin It Up, and Zee Bros.

Flashback was second in the Santa Anita Derby in April and second to the Hollendorfer-trained Zeewat in the Damascus Stakes on Nov. 2. Zeewat is a leading contender for the Malibu.

Shakin It Up won the Grade 2 San Vicente Stakes over seven furlongs in February but was fourth in the Sunland Park Derby in March. Zee Bros, winner of the Chick Lang Stakes at Pimlico in May, has not raced since finishing fifth in the Grade 2 Woody Stephens Stakes at Belmont Park in June.

Other candidates for the Malibu include Bakken, Central Banker, Distinctiv Passion, Heir of Storm, Holy Lute, and San Onofre.