Quote:
Originally Posted by taxicab
So far the Malibu is holding up.
The two that exited have faired well:
Independence Hall ran his best race ever......3rd to Knicks Go in the Pegasus.
Same for Express Train.........Handy score in the San Pasqual.
Flatters Charlatan a bit.
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No surprise those horses are doing well elsewhere. The field from top to bottom in the Malibu was full of talented individuals. I think all but Express Train and Collusion Illusion had triple digit BSF on their resumes and the latter was a Grade 1 winner against his elders earlier in the season.
Express Train hadn't broke through but was well meant as a 2yo, acquitting himself well against Eight Rings and Storm the Court. He beat some salty older horses in his sprint comeback and beat a few more in his second start that saw him just fail behind Extra Hope who won a graded stakes next out. No idea why they tossed him on the grass after that when he was poised to advance to stakes company on dirt.
That said, the Malibu was irrelevant as far as how the race itself played out. Santa Anita's problematic stakes schedule ensured a small field (just 6 horses for a race that historically overfilled with sprinters, routers, comebackers, late bloomers, you name it, in the past). Nashville (no works since) and Thousand Words (retired) didn't show up. Collusion Illusion hasn't worked in nearly a month. Charlatan couldn't have had a softer comeback.
The 2 you mentioned are probably meant for middle distances or more while it is hardly a cinch that Charlatan is the same type of horse around two turns...unless he's handed things on a silver platter. The one turn in Saudi Arabia will probably help but the presence of Knicks Go probably won't.
Beyond that, I'm not holding my breath that Charlatan lasts past the summer.
