ARCADIA, Calif. (AP) — Malibu Pier held off a huge rally from favorite Cozi Rosie to win the $150,000 Santa Barbara Handicap for fillies and mares on Saturday at Santa Anita.
Ridden by Brice Blanc, who took over when Rafael Bejarano chose to ride eventual fourth-place finisher Turning Top, Malibu Pier sat third for most of the Grade 2 Santa Barbara but seized the lead in the homestretch from pacesetter Restless Soul. Cozi Rosie and rider Mike Smith charged from last at the top of the stretch, but Malibu Pier held her off by a half-length for the victory, covering 114 miles on turf in 2:00.22.
Malibu Pier paid $9.60, $3.80 and $3. Cozi Rosie paid $3.40 and $2.80. Restless Soul paid $5.60 to show.
