Malibu Smart Finds Her Distance and Spring-Loads an Upset in the Dowager Stakes
The 6-year-old daughter of English Channel, acquired for just $30,000 out of a claiming race, secured her maiden graded stakes victory at Keeneland. She drew clear by 1 3/4 lengths over Fionn, proving that 2400 meters is her true specialty
LEXINGTON, Kentucky (Special for Turf Diario).— Malibu Smart required nearly three years to win again after breaking her maiden, but she now seems determined to make up for lost time. The 6-year-old daughter of English Channel secured her third consecutive victory this Sunday by taking the Dowager Stakes (G3-2400 m, turf), one of the marquee events of the Keeneland fall meeting.
Making her graded stakes debut at age six, the chestnut mare trained by Mike Maker delivered a dominant performance, clearing G1 winner Fionn (Twirling Candy) by 1 3/4 lengths, while 3-1 favorite Speed Shopper(Quality Road) completed the trifecta. Guided by Ben Curtis, Malibu Smart stopped the clock in 2m33s27/100 and returned $30.40 for every $2 win wager, cementing her status as the afternoon's big surprise.
The race unfolded with Modarosa (Palace Malice) showing the way, closely tracked by Pretty Tapit (Tapit) through early fractions of 25s70/100, 51s34/100, and 1m17s11/100.
Meanwhile, Curtis rating Malibu Smart in a comfortable third position along the rail, making sure she traveled relaxed and saved ground.
Approaching the final turn, the jockey found a seam between rivals and launched a decisive move. With 200 meters to run, the mare had already seized control and sustained her momentum all the way to the wire, comfortably repelling a strong late wide surge from Fionn.
“She broke very well, and I was able to let her roll into the first turn. Once the leaders settled in front, she relaxed, started breathing properly, and found her stride,” Curtis explained.
The rider noted he never doubted her stamina: “Having won over this distance at Kentucky Downs, I knew 2400 meters would be no issue. When I gathered the reins, I still had plenty of horse beneath me,” he said.
Her response in the lane confirmed his feelings: “She came into the stretch with so much power that I could afford to make my move early. She kept giving more, and after the wire it took a tremendous effort to pull her up. She is truly enjoying her racing right now,” he added.
Malibu Smart's story carries a particularly compelling detail: Mike Maker claimed her for $30,000 during 2025 on behalf of Michael Hui, who currently co-owns her with Phil Forte.
Up to that point, the mare had compiled a modest campaign, taking her maiden win at the tail end of her 3-year-old season followed by a lengthy winless drought.
However, the change in barn and, above all, the stretch-out in distance completely transformed her form.
Prior to the Dowager, Malibu Smart had strung together two straight allowance victories over 2400 meters, including her previous start on August 29 at Kentucky Downs.
Maker believes that added distance was the key factor in her resurgence: “We finally got the chance to run her a mile and a half. That was everything, and I honestly think she wants to go even further,” the trainer stated.
The victory also marked her maiden success in graded stakes company—a reward that seemed improbable when she was acquired out of a claiming race.
For Michael Hui, an Arkansas native owner, capturing a major race at Keeneland held extra significance.
“It's a phenomenal feeling. I had plenty of confidence in her chances, but winning here is always something special,” he shared.
Malibu Smart found in marathon distances the ideal stage to showcase ability that had remained dormant for much of her career.
At 6 years old, riding a three-race winning streak and with her first G3 trophy secured, the daughter of English Channel is enjoying the finest form of her life. And according to her trainer, she may still have plenty left to give.
