(Goal Oriented after winning the G1 Malibu Stakes at Santa Anita on Sunday / Benoit Photo & Courtesy of Santa Anita)

From the Santa Anita Park Media Team:

GRADE I, $300,000 MALIBU STAKES QUOTES

JOCKEY QUOTES

JOEL ROSARIO, GOAL ORIENTED, WINNER: “The ride was beautiful. Everything was being set up beautifully and he was in a good position on the backside. I was just letting him find himself and he came out with a big run. Quite a few things changed my plan after the two scratches, but ultimately, I let him do his thing.”

TRAINER QUOTES

BOB BAFFERT, GOAL ORIENTED, WINNER: “It was just a whirlwind. Cornucopian was saddled and he just reared up a little bit, lost his footing and sat down like a dog. He was alright but once they do that it’s an automatic scratch here and I understand that. It was just silly, but it happens. So there was a lot of pressure on the other boys, Barnes had to scratch then Cornucopian. ‘Goal’ we know is a good horse and Madaket looked like he was going to take it for a while. And my other horse (Midland Money, second) ran really big. I’m just happy that it turned out. That we won it. It was a little upsetting there for a bit but I’m glad it worked out and we won the Malibu which is so important. I told Joel not to rush Goal Oriented. We slowed him down and took off the blinkers and he responded.”

OWNER QUOTES:

TOM RYAN, GOAL ORIENTED, WINNER: “Bob had told me last week that this horse was doing really well. I’ve seen him working with Nevada Beach and when Nevada Beach ran so well earlier it kind of gave me confidence that this was the potential outcome. He got a nice draw on the outside. I’m just delighted Cornucopian is okay. He’s okay and back in his stall and now we have a winner in the Malibu so it’s a great credit to the entire team to have all these horses well prepared this time of the year. I look forward to the 4-year-old career with this horse. He potentially is getting better. He may be one of the generations greatest stallions, it’s very exciting.”

NOTES: The winning owners are SF Racing LLC, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables LLC, Stonestreet Stables LLC, Dianne Bashor, Determined Stables, Robert E. Masterson, Tom J., Ryan, Waves Edge Capital LLC and Catherine Donovan.