When it came to seven furlongs of California sprinting in the Dec. 26 Malibu Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita Park, the specialist proved best. Raging Torrent, a two-time stakes winner at seven furlongs, defeated a field that included several who prefer longer distances, including Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mystik Dan.
Mystik Dan was making his celebrated comeback after competing in all three Triple Crown events, and the opening-day Santa Anita crowd eagerly flocked to the paddock and walking ring to see him.
"That's him!" one fan shouted to his friend as they watched Mystik Dan stride by.
The first Derby winner to compete in the Malibu since Silver Charm in 1997, Mystik Dan hadn't tried a one-turn race since the fall of his 2-year-old season in 2023. In both of those outings—at Keeneland and at Churchill Downs—he was right on the pace.
But California speed is different. When the gate opened in the Malibu, Mystik Dan broke in fourth, behind Stronghold, Pilot Commander, and Imagination, all veterans of the SoCal circuit. Mystik Dan never could get into the race and ultimately finished last of six.
Raging Torrent, ridden by Frankie Dettori and favored at 5-2, came away from the gate in fifth but stepped right into the fray. He soon was racing on even terms with Pilot Commander, who set the early fractions of :22.19 for the first quarter-mile and :44.29 for a half-mile.
Into the turn, Raging Torrent challenged the leader, taking command in upper stretch. Stronghold was rallying, but Raging Torrent had plenty to hold him off and score by 1 1/4 lengths, stopping the timer in 1:21.54. Stronghold, winner of the Santa Anita Derby (G1) and seventh behind Mystik Dan in the Kentucky Derby, finished a half-length in front of third-place Imagination, the Santa Anita Derby second and seventh behind Mystik Dan's second in the Preakness Stakes (G1).
Doug O'Neill, who has twice won Kentucky Derby himself with Nyquist and I'll Have Another, trains Raging Torrent and was winning his first Malibu. Earlier on the card O'Neill won the Laffit Pincay Jr. Stakes (G2) with J B Strikes Back.
"It's a grade 1, so that is just priceless," O'Neill said of the first victory at that level for Raging Torrent. "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."
Raging Torrent, owned by Mark Davis and Great Friends Stables, demonstrated his affinity for seven furlongs when he captured a May 4 allowance optional claimer and the June 30 Maxfield Overnight Stakes at Churchill and added the Aug. 24 Pat O'Brien Stakes (G2) at Del Mar, all three at seven furlongs. The Pat O'Brien was particularly special for many in the Great Friends partnership because the group formed years ago specifically to have horses racing during Del Mar's summer meeting.
Craig Dado, a former vice president of marketing at Del Mar, helped spearhead the formation of Great Friends and continues to lead the group.
"I've got to give all the credit to Mark," Dado said. "Mark allows me to buy into the horses. He's the majority owner. We get to ride his coattails, but we have a lot of fun."
Dado said that there are 20 shares in Great Friends, though in many cases several people go in together on one share.
"We have great parties," Dado said. "Most of the people are in the San Diego area, but we had about 20 people here today."
Davis bought Raging Torrent from the consignment of Randy Bradshaw for $75,000 at the 2023 Ocala Breeders' Sales Spring 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale. The colt had been a $27,000 RNA at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale as part of the Vinery Sales consignment.
Rodney J. Winkler and Alfonso Mazzetti bred Raging Torrent in Kentucky from their winning homebred Violence mare Violent Wave, a half sister to graded stakes winner The Nth Degree.
Raging Torrent, Combativa, Irish Maxima, Carmelina, Regalo, Maramax, Glengarry, and Icona Mama are 2024 stakes winners sired by Maximus Mischief . The Into Mischief stallion is scheduled to stand for a stud fee of $15,000 in 2025 at Spendthrift Farm near Lexington.
