Kiaran McLaughlin launches a two-strong challenge in the G1 Malibu Stakes, with the lightly-raced Watershed and Marking lining up in the seven-furlong contest on dirt for three-year-olds at Santa Anita, USA, on Saturday, December 26.
Time/Date - 15.52hrs local time/Saturday, December 26, 2015
Racecourse/Country - Santa Anita/USA
Surface/Distance - Dirt/7f
Kiaran McLaughlin launches a two-strong challenge in the G1 Malibu Stakes, with the lightly-raced Watershed and Marking lining up in the seven-furlong contest on dirt for three-year-olds at Santa Anita, USA, on Saturday, December 26.
Watershed acquitted himself well on his only previous G1 appearance when fourth behind Runhappy in the nyra.com King's Bishop Stakes, also over seven furlongs, at Saratoga on August 29.
The Bernardini colt gained impressive wins on both his other starts, easily taking a seven-furlong allowance race at Keeneland on October 15 and scoring by four lengths on debut at Saratoga on August 7.
Marking, also by Bernardini, is unbeaten in two outings. He followed up victory in an extended six-furlong maiden at Belmont Park on September 23 with an impressive triumph in a mile allowance race at Aqueduct on November 4.
Joel Rosario takes the ride again on Watershed, with Jose Lezcano maintaining his partnership with Marking.
Kiaran McLaughlin said: "Both Marking and Watershed have adapted well since arriving in Santa Anita.
"Marking won his only two races easily and is very talented. He was entered in the Cigar Mile at Aqueduct on November 28 but drew the one post against older horses, so we decided to scratch and wait for the Malibu.
"Watershed is another very nice colt and ran well to finish fourth to Runhappy in the King's Bishop.
"The Malibu is an important race and the timing is good for both horses."
Watershed, emerging from stall three and Marking, drawn two, tackle five rivals, with King's Bishop Stakes and Breeders' Cup Sprint winner Runhappy set to provide the main opposition along with Santa Anita G2 scorer Lord Nelson.
