UPDATE: In a stunning turn of events, Bob Baffert has claimed his record-breaking seventh victory in the Malibu Stakes at Santa Anita on December 26, 2023, despite facing a series of dramatic last-minute scratches. The race, which boasted a purse of $200,000, saw Baffert’s new favorite, Goal Oriented, secure a win in front of an electrifying crowd of 41,962 fans.
Just two days before the race, Baffert was poised for an unprecedented finish with five horses entered, aiming to become the first trainer to achieve a 1-2-3-4-5 finish in a major North American race. However, on December 25, he was forced to scratch his top contender, Cornucopian, after the colt suffered a mishap in the saddling paddock, leaving Baffert with only three runners to compete.
In a dramatic race, Goal Oriented, ridden by jockey Joel Rosario, stormed from last place to clinch victory, finishing just a length ahead of Baffert’s other contender, Midland Money. The win was particularly significant as it marked Goal Oriented’s first stakes-level victory, breaking a four-race losing streak that included a disappointing finish at the Preakness.
Baffert’s triumph was amplified by earlier wins that day, including a notable 1-2 finish by Nysos and Nevada Beach in the Grade II Laffit Pincay Jr. Stakes and a dominant performance by Usha in the Grade I La Brea Stakes. Each of these victories came on a track that was playing faster than usual, after recent weather conditions forced a two-day postponement of Santa Anita’s winter-spring season opener.
The final time for the 7-furlong Malibu Stakes was clocked at 1:20.99, marking the fastest performance since 2016. Baffert expressed mixed feelings about the day’s events, acknowledging the unpredictability of racing.
“There’s strength in numbers, you know?” Baffert stated in the winner’s circle, reflecting on the rollercoaster of the day.
“It was crazy. It’s just so upsetting. The horse was doing so well. I would have liked to see what he could have done,”
he lamented about Cornucopian’s incident.
Despite the setbacks, the victory adds to Baffert’s legacy, now surpassing fellow Hall of Famer Richard Mandella for the most Malibu Stakes wins. Baffert’s previous Malibu victors include renowned names like The Factor and Charlatan.
As the racing world digests this remarkable day at Santa Anita, all eyes will remain on Baffert and his talented roster of horses in the upcoming races. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see if he can maintain this momentum in the weeks ahead.
