News Collusion Illusion Among Pair of Grade 1 Winners Nominated to Malibu December 15, 2020 Collusion Illusion training at Santa Anita (Credit: Ernie Belmonte) News Collusion Illusion Among Pair of Grade 1 Winners Nominated to Malibu December 15, 2020 By: Curtis "Magic" Kalleward twitteremail Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article ARCADIA, CA – Trainer Mark Glatt’s Collusion Illusion, champion of August’s Bing Crosby Stakes (G1), is among a pair of Grade 1 winners nominated to the $300,000 Runhappy Malibu Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita Park. The Malibu annually headlines the opening day card, traditionally held on December 26, and is the final Grade 1 event of the year restricted to 3-year-old horses. ( Content Continues Below Ad ) Collusion Illusion’s Bing Crosby victory against a field of elders earned his place in the starting gate for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1), where he finished 12th under regular rider Flavien Prat. The Malibu would be his first test at 7 furlongs. Storm the Court (trainer Peter Eurton) is still seeking his first victory since last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) over this course, but he’s been facing several high-end 3-year-olds in routes and was sixth in the Kentucky Derby (G1). Charlatan (Bob Baffert) would have been the third Grade 1 winner nominated to the Malibu, if not for a tough-luck drug positive after he won the Arkansas Derby (G1). He is unraced since that May 2 event. Considered a year ago at this time to be a top Kentucky Derby contender, Independence Hall (Michael McCarthy) never made the Run for the Roses, but he’s yet to lose a one-turn event. He won last winter’s Nashua Stakes (G3) and the Jerome Stakes. ( Content Continues Below Ad ) Speedy California-bred Brickyard Ride (Craig Lewis) is nominated to what would mark his first stakes try. He’s won twice on both local surfaces, including one over each in his past 2 starts. Speaking of speed, one of the coountry’s quickest dirt horses is another nominee. Nashville (Steve Asmussen) is undefeated in 3 starts, including the Perryville Stakes at Keeneland that kicked off the Saturday Breeders’ Cup card. Express Train (John Shirreffs), Idol (Richard Baltas), Shooters Shoot (Eurton), Silver State (Asmussen), Strongconstitution (Doug O’Neill), and Thousand Words (Baffert) complete the list of 12 total nominees. Free Malibu Stakes nominees’ PPs, courtesy of Equibase
Kentucky Derby First Look and NHL/NBA Playoff Update | Dudes Who Bet Sports 189 Aaron and Papa Dude discuss the probable for the 150th… Read More
2024 Kentucky Derby Horse Profiles – How Each Horse Can Win | Blinkers Off 662 The Racing Dudes take a look at the contenders of… Read More
Keeneland Pick 5 | The Magic Mike Show 542 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
NBA & NHL Playoff Previews & Picks | Dudes Who Bet Sports 188 Aaron and Papa Dude discuss OJ Simpson, UConn’s national championship… Read More
2024 Kentucky Derby Top 10 & Rapid-Fire Picks | Blinkers Off 661 The Racing Dudes reveal their Top 10 Kentucky Derby prospects… Read More
Kentucky Derby 2024 Latest News & Top Contenders | It’s The Final Countdown Aaron discusses the latest 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) news, then… Read More
Fierceness | Get To Know The 2024 Kentucky Derby Contender Jared discusses Fierceness, a contender for the 2024 Kentucky Derby… Read More
Sierra Leone | Get To Know The 2024 Kentucky Derby Contender Jared discusses Sierra Leone, a contender for the 2024 Kentucky… Read More
Catching Freedom | Get To Know The 2024 Kentucky Derby Contender Jared discusses Catching Freedom, a contender for the 2024 Kentucky… Read More
Forever Young | Get To Know The 2024 Kentucky Derby Contender Jared discusses Forever Young, a contender for the 2024 Kentucky… Read More