Stakes History: Malibu Stakes

Held traditionally the day after Christmas, the Malibu is the final G1 of the year for 3yos and the first leg of the Strub Series. Some great horses have won this race in the past, including a couple of KY Derby winners. Lets take a look at some of them.

1954- Imbros (Polynesian): Set a world record  when he won the Malibu. In the race he defeated Bersheem. Although he also won the Californian it would be as a sire 8 years later where he would start to leave a mark.

1962- Native Diver (Imbros): Like father, like son! Three years before he would win the first of his three Hollywood Gold Cup's, the Cal-Bred gelding would defeat Grid Iron Hero in the seven furlong contest. Along with his three HGC wins, Native Diver also won the San Diego Handicap 3 times. 

1986- Ferdinand (Nijinsky): The Derby winner ended this year defeating Snow Chief. Although the latter would win 3yo champion, Ferdinand would get his Eclipse win in 1987 when he won the Hollywood Gold Cup and the Breeders' Cup Classic (over his fellow Derby winner Alysheba). The Ferdinand clause which allows US stallions to be returned to the US from Japan is named in his honor. 

2000- Dixie Union (Dixieland Band): That's right, Union Rags' dad won this race over Caller One (who would win Dubai's Golden Shaheen twice and finish 3rd in the BC Sprint). It ended a year where he also won the Haskell. Of course he would go onto sire some very nice horses before his premature death in 2010.

2004- Rock Hard Ten (Kris S.): Yes he would go onto win the Santa Anita Handicap and Goodwood as a four year old before being injured and missed the BCC. However, the runner up in the Malibu his year was taking a big step up in class from where he was running in claiming races. Of course that would be Lava Man! Rock Hard Ten was just sold to Korean interests to continue his stud career.