Run Happy Ships West for Grade 1 Malibu at Santa Anita

Run Happy, a virtual lock for Champion Sprint Horse after winning the Grade 1 King’s Bishop and Grade 3 Phoenix in addition to his BC Sprint triumph, is the deserving morning line favorite at odds of 6/5. The three year-old son of 2010 Kentucky Derby winner Supersaver will make his first start with trainer Laura Wohlers as the trainer of record following the much publicized falling out between owner James McIngvale and former trainer Maria Borrell the day after the Breeders’ Cup. Run Happy has won 6 of 7 career starts including all five this year. Most impressively, the horse has never competed on the anti-bleeder medication known as Lasix.

Lightly-raced NY shipper is dangerous

Marking (5/2) has emerged as the wise-guy horse after posting two impressive wins in as many starts to open his career. The Kiaran McLaughlin trainer has earned impressive speed figures, but will be facing stakes foes for the first time. A son of 2006 three year-old Horse of the Year Bernardini, Marking has license to improve while facing top-class competition.

El Kabeir brings back class 

Multiple stakes winner El Kabeir returned to form with a last-out win in the City of Laurel Stakes November 14 at Laurel Park. The John Terranova trainee should be making up ground late under jockey Mike Smith and plenty of back class to suggest he fits with these.