NEWS
M One Rifle powers to victory in Malibu
Posted: Saturday, December 26, 2009 7:14 PM
M ONE RIFLE
Benoit & Associates photo
To view a video replay of the Malibu Stakes, click here.
by Mike Curry
Winning the Malibu Stakes (G1) had been a lifelong goal for trainer Bruce Headley, and on Saturday at Santa Anita Park M One Rifle made Headley’s dream a reality.
The One Man Army gelding was left alone on the lead in the seven-furlong race for three-year-olds and he raced comfortably through a measured half-mile in :45.28 under Mike Smith. M One Rifle had plenty of stamina in reserve entering the stretch and powered to a 2 1/2-length triumph.
The Malibu victory was extra special for Headley, 75, who trained stakes-placed winner One Man Army and M One Rifle’s winning dam, Leanessa, by Bertrando, and is the co-owner and co-breeder of M One Rifle.
"Winning this race is an exhilarating experience, on a day like today, with all these fans here,” said Headley, referring to the large crowd on hand for opening day and a chance to see unbeaten champion Zenyatta paraded on track after the sixth race. “I've been trying to win the Malibu my whole life, since 1952.”
M One Rifle broke alertly and flashed good early speed to take control. He opened a clear lead through a quarter-mile in :22.98 and was never seriously threatened en route to his fourth win in eight starts for a partnership that includes Ed Bernstein and Bryan Geenspun. He completed the distance in 1:21.05 on the synthetic Pro-Ride surface.
M One Rifle won three straight races earlier this season, including the Real Good Deal Stakes in August at Del Mar, and has never finished out of the top three. He entered the Malibu off a third-place finish in a six-furlong optional claiming race on November 29 at Hollywood Park.
"I'm pretty sure we'll keep him sprinting. I don't know yet,” Headley said. “In 1952, I was galloping Berseem. He broke a world's record at Golden Gate [Fields] … as a three-year-old. He came back and ran in the Malibu [in 1954] and they broke the world's record that day [1:20 3/5 for seven furlongs], but he got beat a nose by Imbros. That's when I was 18, so I've always wanted to win the Malibu since that time. It's taken me this long, 57 years."
Multiple Grade 2 winner Misremembered was sent off as the 2.30-to-1 favorite off a runner-up finish in the Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (G2) on November 27 at Churchill Downs. Misremembered was rated in sixth by Victor Espinoza and finished willingly for second, a neck in front of third-place finisher Papa Clem, winner of the Arkansas Derby (G2) and fourth in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1).
For an Equibase chart, click here.
Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor
