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Charlatan galloping at Santa Anita
All eyes are soon to be fixated on American star Charlatan as he heads the market for next Saturday s (Feb. 20) $20 million Saudi Cup at King Abdulaziz Racetrack in greater Riyadh. The striking 4-year-old chestnut colt seeks to stake his claim as the top dirt horse in the world, while also taking home the $10 million first-place prize money. Standing in the Bob Baffert trainee s way will be Brad Cox-conditioned Breeders Cup Dirt Mile (G1) and Pegasus World Cup (G1) winner Knicks Go, as well as Champions Cup (G1) winner Chuwa Wizard, Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 (G2) victor Military Law and battle-hardened American G2 winners Tacitus and Sleepy Eyes Todd.
Charlatan Returns With Dominating Performance In Malibu Sponsored by:
Charlatan winning the Malibu by 4 1/2 lengths under Mike Smith
Charlatan, sidelined since June with an ankle injury, returned to the races with a smashing performance in Saturday s Grade 1, $300,000 Runhappy Malibu Stakes at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif., chasing speedster Nashville through the opening half-mile, putting that rival away on the turn for home, then drawing off to win by 4 1/2 lengths under Mike Smith.
Express Train rallied from last to finish second, with Collusion Illusion a half-length back in third, previously unbeaten 6-5 favorite Nashville another 3 1/4 lengths back in fourth, Independence Hall fifth and Thousand Words trailing the field of six 3-year-olds.