Taiba boosts Eclipse chances in Malibu, gives Baffert fifth win of the day
ARCADIA, Calif. – Taiba was the “cherry on top” for trainer Bob Baffert on Monday at Santa Anita, where Baffert won all five dirt races on opening day of the winter meet, including three graded stakes capped by an impressive victory by Taiba in the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes for 3-year-olds.
Taiba ($2.80) and jockey Mike Smith pace-pressed their way to an ultimately dominating victory in the seven-furlong Malibu, winning by 4 1/4 lengths. The win was his third Grade 1 of the year, and fodder for Eclipse Award voters contemplating year-end honors for outstanding 3-year-old male of 2022. He earned a 106 Beyer Speed Figure.
Perhaps more significant is the Malibu victory cemented Taiba as one of the top older horses in the country heading into 2023. Whether or not Taiba joins stablemate Country Grammer in the Saudi Cup in February is undecided.
Baffert ran 14 horses Monday. Half-joking after the Malibu, he said, “I was worried about going 0 for 14.” That was never going to happen with the likes of graded winners Country Grammer and Fun to Dream, the smashing 2-year-old maiden winner Faustin and older maiden winner Bletchley Park.
“And then Taiba, he was the cherry on top,” Baffert said after the Malibu.
Taiba pressed the pace set by Forbidden Kingdom, was briefly sandwiched between two rivals turning for home, then kicked away to win in 1:21.75. Forbidden Kingdom held second; Hoist the Gold finished third.
Considering that Taiba was shortening to seven furlongs after finishing third in the mile and one-quarter Breeders’ Cup Classic, it was surprising to see Taiba pressing the sprint pace from second position. What was not surprising was watching Mike Smith keep him under a drive most of the race.
“He’s just that way, he’s like a bike,” Smith said. “You’ve got to pedal on him. Going long, you don’t have to do it as much.” Going seven furlongs, Smith wanted an early position.
“I thought if I broke good, I’ll be able to lay [at least] third,” Smith said. Taiba instead laid second, and when longshot Straight No Chaser loomed three wide at the quarter pole, Smith and Taiba found themselves in a temporary jam.”
“I was sandwiched, but it kept moving him forward,” Smith said. “I knew when he got to his right lead, he would give me another gear. He always has, and he did.”
Taiba ran away late. Forbidden Kingdom held second. Straight No Chaser faded to seventh.
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Taiba finishes his campaign having won four races and $1,956,200 from seven starts. Not bad for a colt who began his career in March, won the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby in just his second start, then recovered from a 12th place finish in the Kentucky Derby to finish second in the Grade 1 Haskell and win the Grade 1 Pennsylvania Derby.
Taiba’s owner is Amr Zedan, who co-owns Saudi Cup-bound Country Grammer.
Although Baffert earlier confirmed Country Grammer would target the $20 million Saudi Cup on Feb. 25, he deferred a decision regarding sending Taiba to the Saudi Cup.
The fourth- through ninth-place finishers in the Malibu were Nakatomi, Strava, Apprehend, Straight No Chaser, Messier, and Perfect Flight.
Baffert’s five-win day was his first five-bagger since Dec. 7, 2019 at Los Alamitos.
- additional reporting by Steve Andersen
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