Getting into this 12 months’s winter/spring meet at Santa Anita Park, Doug O’Neill ranked third all-time in wins on the observe with 1,198 and was tied for eighth in stakes wins with 118. He additionally has received the coach’s title 9 occasions at Santa Anita.
Regardless of that abundance of success over three-plus many years, certainly one of Santa Anita’s marquee races had eluded the 56-year-old conditioner: the Malibu Stakes (G1). That every one modified Dec. 26 when Raging Torrent prevailed within the 77th version of the dash for 3-year-olds.
Raging Torrent received the Malibu on opening day two races after J B Strikes Again , additionally skilled by O’Neill, took down the Laffit Pincay Jr. Stakes (G2). Raging Torrent kicked clear within the Malibu and received by 1 1/4 lengths beneath Frankie Dettori, the worldwide driving star who additionally received his first Malibu.
“It was such a special occasion and the Malibu is such a particular race. If you see the Kentucky Derby winner come out for it,” O’Neill stated Dec. 27, referring to Malibu rival Mystik Dan , who ran final of six. “It simply exhibits you the way vital the race is. It is actually an honor.”
O’Neill reported each Raging Torrent and J B Strikes Again have been doing nicely the morning after their races.Join BloodHorse Each day
Raging Torrent earned his second graded win within the Malibu. This summer time at Del Mar, he received the Pat O’Brien Stakes (G2), additionally going seven furlongs, earlier than a seventh-place end within the Breeders’ Cup Dash (G1). The son of Maximus Mischief is now 5-1-2 from 12 begins with $667,400 in earnings for homeowners Mark Davis and Nice Pals Stables.
O’Neill stated the most important goal for Raging Torrent within the first half of 2025 is a attempt within the Godolphin Mile (G2) April 5 on the Dubai World Cup (G1) undercard within the Center East. Whether or not he begins between every now and then stays to be decided.
“I will speak with Mark Davis and we’ll put our heads collectively, however the aim is the Godolphin Mile,” O’Neill stated. “If one thing comes up in early February round one flip we like, we might go there first.”
The following graded stakes for older horses sprinting on grime at Santa Anita is the Feb. 15 Palos Verdes Stakes (G3).
In the meantime, the Kenny McPeek-trained Mystik Dan is quickly headed again to the Midwest. The Goldencents colt, who was vivid and alert taking within the sights throughout coaching hours Friday, is slated to depart Dec. 29 for Oaklawn Park, based on McPeek Racing director of operations Greg Morehead.
As for J B Strikes Again, owned by Janie Buss’ Purple Rein Racing, he earned his first stakes win when upsetting the Pincay Jr. at 16-1 beneath Antonio Fresu. The race was J B Strikes Again third win in a row since rejoining the O’Neill barn after the coach and proprietor reclaimed him after dropping him for a begin..
“It is superb his enchancment this 12 months,” O’Neill stated. “He is only a gutty, hard-trying horse. He is been an actual nice shock.”
O’Neill stated his main aim now’s the March 1 Santa Anita Handicap (G1).
“He might run once more earlier than that, or we’ll prepare him up. We’re in no hurry,” O’Neill stated.
This press launch has been edited for content material and magnificence by BloodHorse Workers.
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