Watershed will try to turn the tables on Runhappy in Malibu

When Watershed finished fourth to Runhappy in the King’s Bishop Stakes at Saratoga in August, Watershed was a 7-2 contender and Runhappy an 11-1 outsider. Runhappy romped to a four-length win, the first of three stakes victories that include the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Keeneland on Oct. 31.

They are scheduled to meet again in the $300,000 Malibu Stakes for 3-year-olds at seven furlongs at Santa Anita on Dec. 26, the opening day of the track’s winter-spring meeting.

This time, trainer Kiaran McLaughlin knows what to expect from Runhappy. The loss in the King’s Bishop has not diminished McLaughlin’s hopes for Watershed. The colt, by Bernardini, races for Sheikh Mohammed al-Maktoum’s Godolphin Racing and won an allowance race in his most recent start at Keeneland on Oct. 15.

“I’m not looking forward to hooking Runhappy, but it’s such an important race for 3-year-olds,” McLaughlin said of the Malibu.

McLaughlin has three runners for the two Grade 1 sprints for 3-year-olds at Santa Anita on Dec. 26. Aside from Watershed, he will run Marking, by Bernardini, in the Malibu and Cavorting in the $300,000 La Brea Stakes for fillies at seven furlongs.

Marking is unbeaten in two starts and will make his stakes debut in the Malibu. He was entered for the Cigar Mile at Aqueduct on Nov. 28, but McLaughlin opted to pass when Marking drew the rail.

Cavorting is likely to be favored in the La Brea. Owned by Godolphin, Cavorting was fourth as the 3-1 favorite in the BC Filly and Mare Sprint at Keeneland on Oct. 31. Earlier this year, she won three stakes, including the Grade 1 Test Stakes at Saratoga.

“She trains real aggressively, and it’s hard to stop on her,” McLaughlin said. “She’s doing well.”