In an exciting race at Santa Anita, Raging Torrent, ridden by legendary jockey Frankie Dettori, claimed victory in the prestigious Grade 1 Malibu Stakes. This thrilling win, a part of the $300,000 event for 3-year-olds, marked a major achievement for both Raging Torrent and trainer Doug O’Neill. Let’s take a closer look at the race, the performances, and what made this victory special for the team behind Raging Torrent.
The Race: Raging Torrent’s Impressive Win
Raging Torrent was the favorite heading into the Malibu Stakes, with odds of 5-2. The horse was quick to settle in behind the leader, Pilot Commander, who set the pace in the race. As they approached the final stretch, Dettori pushed Raging Torrent ahead, and the horse surged past the competition, crossing the finish line with a 1 1/4-length lead.
Raging Torrent’s winning time was an impressive 1:21.54 for the seven-furlong distance. This victory marked Raging Torrent’s second graded-stakes win of the year, following a win in the Pat O’Brien Stakes earlier in 2024.
Trainer Doug O’Neill was thrilled with the performance, as this win marked his first-ever victory in the traditional opening-day feature at Santa Anita. “He was very tough today,” Dettori said, praising the horse’s strength and the ideal race conditions.
The Other Competitors
While Raging Torrent stole the show, there were other notable competitors in the Malibu Stakes. Stronghold, the winner of the Santa Anita Derby, finished second, followed by Imagination in third. Pilot Commander, who had led the race for much of the way, held on to finish fourth.
One of the biggest disappointments of the race was Mystik Dan, the winner of the Kentucky Derby, who had been off the track for more than six months. Mystik Dan struggled throughout the race and ended up finishing last. Jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. noted that the seven-furlong distance might have been too short for Mystik Dan after his previous success in longer races, like the Kentucky Derby.
A Controversial Moment
In the final stretch, there was a brief bump between two horses, Imagination (ridden by Joel Rosario) and Pilot Commander (ridden by Juan Hernández). This caused a post-race inquiry by the stewards. After reviewing the situation, the three stewards unanimously agreed that the contact did not affect the outcome of the race, and the results stood.
Raging Torrent’s Career So Far
With this victory, Raging Torrent has now earned five wins, one second-place finish, and two third-place finishes in 12 career races. The horse has earned $667,400 in total earnings. The win was also a proud moment for Raging Torrent’s owners, Mark Davis and Great Friends Stables. Trainer Doug O’Neill expressed his excitement, noting that everything fell into place for the horse to run a perfect race.
Raging Torrent’s victory in the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes at Santa Anita was a moment to remember, with Frankie Dettori riding the horse to an impressive 1 1/4-length win. Trainer Doug O’Neill celebrated his first win in the prestigious race, and Raging Torrent proved once again that it’s one of the top competitors in the sport. With this win, Raging Torrent continues to build a strong career, and fans will be eager to see what comes next for this talented horse.
Visit Home