Expert prediction
Malibu Stakes Preview, Odds, and Picks (Dec 28)
The G1 Malibu Stakes is one of the top level races to be staged at Santa Anita Park on December 28, as a field horses aged three compete across seven furlongs. You can find the odds and our Malibu Stakes picks here.
How to Watch
- When: Sunday, December 28, 2025. 6:30 PM ET
- Where: Santa Anita Park, California
- How to Watch: FanDuel TV
Malibu Stakes Odds
| Horse | Odds |
|---|---|
| Barnes | +225 |
| Cornucopian | +250 |
| Goal Orientated | +600 |
| Madaket Road | +650 |
| Midland Money | +700 |
| Modus Bestia | +1400 |
| Speedy Wilson | +1400 |
| Other Selections | +2500 & Bigger |
Latest odds taken from an offshore sportsbook. Correct as of 12/22/25 at 8:50 AM ET)
Malibu Stakes Recent Winners
| Year | Winning Horse |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Raging Torrent |
| 2023 | Speed Boat Beach |
| 2022 | Taiba |
| 2021 | Flightline |
| 2020 | Charlatan |
ALSO SEE: FIFA World Cup Draw, Latest Odds, and Early Picks (2026)
Race Preview
The G1 Malibu Stakes is one of the standout events on the racing calendar in North America over the Christmas period. The race has produced some famous winners, including Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Flightline in 2021. However, it has largely been a race dominated by Bob Baffert.
Baffert will be chasing a record seventh win in the race this year, and his entries dominate the betting. Barnes has always had a big reputation, but he is yet to prove himself at the very highest level. But, he was professional on his latest effort when landing the G3 Perryville.
Madaket Road has a similar profile, with many expecting big things of the runner in 2026. There was enough to like about his fifth in the G1 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial to suggest that it may not yet be time to give up on the runner.
Goal Oriented brings the highest level of form into the race after finishing sixth in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. Recent optional claimer winners such as Speedy Wilson, Modus Bestia, and Berlin Wall could yet have something to offer in this grade.
Malibu Stakes Picks
One runner at a big price that could out-run his odds this weekend is Smooth Cruisein. The Karen Headley runner was third behind Dirt Mile winner Nysos in the Triple Bend Stakes, before finishing second behind Citizen Bull, who would later take second in the Dirt Mile, in the Shared Belief Stakes. Was last seen finishing fourth in the G2 Santa Anita Sprint Championship, but this step back up to seven furlongs could be an interesting angle.
Free Pick:
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