Malibu Stakes

The Malibu Stakes is an American Thoroughbred horse race held annually at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. Run in late December, it is one of the first major graded stakes races for three-year-old colts and geldings of the year, marking the transition from the sophomore to older horse division.

The race is contested on the dirt over a distance of seven furlongs. It currently holds Grade I status and offers a purse of $300,000 (subject to change).

Originally run at a mile and a quarter, the Malibu Stakes has undergone several distance changes throughout its history. The race has been held at various distances including a mile and an eighth, a mile, and its current distance of seven furlongs.

Notable winners of the Malibu Stakes include horses such as Precisionist, Runaway Groom, Silver Charm, Shared Belief, and Flightline. These victories have often served as a springboard for successful campaigns in subsequent years, establishing the Malibu Stakes as an important race for identifying future stars.