Stars Run in Malibu Stakes 2022: Taiba, Messier, and Forbidden Kingdom for the Cup

Santa Anita Opening Day

The stars are out in force at the Malibu Stakes 2022, including Taiba, Messier, and Forbidden Kingdom.

Taiba is the early favorite with Santa Anita odds, but looking to cause a minor upset are a host of chances. Bookmakers have an open betting field for the Malibu Stakes, so it’s a good betting race to start at Santa Anita.

Santa Anita 2022

Location: Santa Anita, California
Date & Time: Monday, December 26th, 2022. 6:00 pm ET
Purse: $300,000

Taiba Heads the Pack

Taiba is the class runner of the field having finished third in the Breeders’ Cup Classic and he was a touch unlucky.

The Bob Baffert-trained colt didn’t jump well, but to make up ground on Flightline and Olympiad was meritorious.

“He slipped leaving the gate and lost a little bit, but he ran a tremendous race”
“He has so much heart. You watch him work in the morning you’d never think he’s that good. But when he gets in the gate, he’s a different horse.” Baffert said of Taiba’s Breeders’ Cup Classic effort.

The 2022 Pennsylvania Derby winner has beaten some quality types throughout his career, including Cyberknife and Messier, so he’s held in high esteem and we’re not surprised by his odds for the Malibu Stakes 2022.

Bookmakers have him at 6-5 and he could firm even shorter. He’s the class act and the highest-rated thoroughbred in the field.

Forbidden Kingdom Ready to Strike

The 3-year-old colt looked like a rising star when winning the San Vicente Stakes and San Felipe Stakes, but he hasn’t performed at the same level since.

The son of American Pharoah ran sixth in the Santa Anita Derby behind Taiba before running fifth and third in two subsequent runs.

It’s not the level we have come to expect from Forbidden Kingdom, who defeated the highly-touted Pinehurst in January.

Horse betting odds have him on the second line of betting at 3-1. It’s a fair price and it suggests that he’s ready to get back to winning form.

Being on the pace could help his chances in the Malibu Stakes 2022, so we’re prepared to include him in selections. The ability is there and he has had five runs at Santa Anita, so he knows the course well.

Can Messier Turn the Tables?

The last two efforts from Messier were too bad to be true but he had excuses.

The Baffert-trained runner finished 15th in the Kentucky Derby before bleeding when running 11th at Keeneland against easier company last start.

He’s a much better horse than that and the betting suggests he has come back from his mandatory break in good order.

Malibu Stakes 2022 betting markets have Messier at 6-1, which could be worth backing on an each-way basis.

His win in the Bobbie Lewis at Santa Anita was a good effort and he followed it up with a placing behind Taiba in the Santa Anita Derby 2022. A similar effort takes him close and he can’t be overlooked as a winning prospect.

Watch late betting markets for any moves for the third favorite.

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