A spectacular performance by Raging Torrent marked the opening day of the Santa Anita winter meet on December 26, 2024, just after Christmas. The colt delivered a commanding victory in the Grade 1 $200,000 Malibu Stakes, leaving racing fans in awe.
Raging Torrent’s triumph was particularly remarkable as it came at the expense of Mystik Dan, the reigning Kentucky Derby champion, who finished last in a field of six.
The race not only showcased Raging Torrent’s exceptional talent but also raised questions about Mystik Dan’s readiness for the sprint distance after an arduous Triple Crown campaign earlier in the year.
The atmosphere at Santa Anita Park was electric as fans flocked to witness Mystik Dan’s much-anticipated return to the racetrack.
A crowd of over 41,000 gathered, their excitement palpable as they awaited the Derby winner’s parade around the paddock.
As Mystik Dan appeared, he was met with an enthusiastic roar. One fan’s shout of “That’s him!” captured the star power and lofty expectations surrounding the beloved colt.
Raging Torrent Started In Fifth Place But Quickly Found His Stride, Engaging In A Furious Struggle For The Lead
Riding by the great Frankie Dettori, Raging Torrent was sent off as the 5-2 favorite.
Breaking from the gate in fifth position, he quickly found his rhythm and engaged in a fierce battle for the lead.
The early fractions were set by Pilot Commander, with Raging Torrent challenging him as they entered the turn.
Torrent seized the lead in the upper stretch, then held off a late charge from Stronghold to post a 1 1/4-length victory and a mark of 1:21.54.
Congratulations client @DougONeill1 and team on today's huge victory in the G1 Malibu! 🏆#RagingTorrent pic.twitter.com/yRCtiuF7OH
— Gwen * Davis Innovation (@InnovationDavis) December 27, 2024
The victory of Raging Torrent came hand in hand with an added first win at Grade 1 to an already impressive record now showing four wins out of seven races for the year.
It was all joy for Doug O’Neill, who expressed himself,
“It’s a Grade 1, so that is just priceless. It’s for 3-year-olds only, last one of the year, and just a great way to start the meet. I’m speechless right now.”
Via Blood Horse
Full of joy, he savored every bit of this with his team.
This Race Highlighted The Unpredictable Nature Of Horse Racing, Even For The Most Accomplished Champions
A complete opposite of Raging Torrent, Mystik Dan had some obstacles to overcome on his path to victory.
After a long van ride from New Orleans and a layoff since finishing eighth in the Belmont Stakes, he struggled to get his feet set in this seven-furlong sprint.
Breaking decently from the gate, he soon fell to the back of the pack and never did manage to factor into the outcome of the race.
Jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. noted,
Mystik Dan “broke good, but it just seemed like we were always chasing. I think shortening up took away from him. After the mile and a quarter [in the Derby], it is tough to go back to seven-eighths. The horse is fine.”
via Los Angeles Times
He attributed this setback to the difficulty of transitioning from longer races back to a sprint distance.
The defeat disappointed the fans and connections, especially as Mystik Dan was the first Kentucky Derby winner to participate in the Malibu Stakes since Silver Charm in 1997.
It was a race that showed just how fickle horse racing could be, even for champions.
In that case, the win by Raging Torrent, now that Santa Anita is just getting into its winter meet, sets a pretty decent tone for what could be in store.
Of course, with his new Grade 1 winner status, he could become one to watch in races down the line.
Mystik Dan must regroup and review his training to rebound from this setback.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Raging Torrent belongs to Mark Davis and Great Friends Stable, which Craig Dado, a former Del Mar marketing executive, leads.
- Doug O’Neill trained the colt, and Frankie Dettori rode Raging Torrent.
