Omaha Beach caps 2019 with dominating Malibu S. (G1) victory

Omaha Beach wrapped up 2019 with a brilliant performance in the $300,000 Malibu S. (G1) Dec. 28 at Santa Anita Park, cruising by 2 ¾-lengths in what was the penultimate race of his career before joining the Spendthrift Farm stallion roster for 2020.

Omaha Beach will race once more in the Jan. 25 Pegasus (G1) at Gulfstream Park before heading to Kentucky for his stud career.

Omaha Beach’s performance in the seven-furlong Malibu simply dwarfed his foes. Much Better sprinted out to a sizeable lead in the first quarter-mile, but Omaha Beach engulfed him on the turn without being asked by Mike Smith. Under a hand ride the rest of the way, he stopped the timer in 1:22.33 for a Beyer Speed Figure of 101, his fourth straight triple-digit number.

When asked after the Malibu if Omaha Beach was the best horse he ever trained, trainer Richard Mandella said, “I can’t think of one better, although he hasn’t been around long enough (as) those that stayed forever, [Spendthrift’s] Beholder and them, but probably the few times he ever got beat were my fault.”

Omaha Beach is 5-4-1 in 10 starts and has earned $1,651,800. He has wins in the Santa Anita Sprint Championship (G1), Arkansas Derby (G1) and Rebel S. (G2).