Malibu Moon Firster Lives Up to the Hype with ‘Rising Star’ Worthy Debut

[Wandering Eyes]

Most Amusing (Malibu Moon) was hammered down to 1-5 favoritism for this career bow and lived up to the hype with a dominant victory to become the newest ‘TDN Rising Star’ for Hall of Famer Bob Baffert. Pressing from a close-up second in the initial stages, the Juddmonte homebred swept past pacesetting Highly Distorted (Distorted Humor) to take control just as they registered an opening quarter in :22.39. Showing the way into the lane, the bay powered clear under a motionless Drayden Van Dyke to win as he pleased by 4 1/2 lengths. Stablemate and fellow firster Lontani (Giant’s Causeway), let go at 10-1, rallied up the fence late to be second before galloping out in front. Baffert and Juddmonte were also the team behind fellow ‘TDN Rising Star’ and champion Arrogate (Unbridled’s Song), who, like Most Amusing, is out of a Distorted Humor mare.

Most Amusing comes from a long line of Juddmonte homebreds. His dam Comic Marvel, a daughter of MGSW Media Nox (GB), won three times for Hall of Famer Bill Mott before retiring to the Juddmonte broodmare band. Her second foal was GSP Eloquent Riddle (Harlan’s Holiday); and her recent produce includes the juvenile filly Comic City (City Zip), a yearling filly by Malibu Moon and a Tapit filly born Mar. 25 of this year. Comic Marvel is a half-sister to MG1SW Nebraska Tornado (Storm Cat); MGSW & G1SP Mirabilis (Lear Fan); and GSW Burning Sun (Danzig).

2nd-SA, $54,345, Msw, 4-6, 3yo, 5 1/2f, 1:04.93, ft.

MOST AMUSING, c, 3, by Malibu Moon

1st dam: Comic Marvel, by Distorted Humor

2nd dam: Media Nox (GB), by Lycius

3rd dam: Sky Love, by Nijinsky II

Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $32,400. O/B-Juddmonte Farms Inc (KY); T-Bob Baffert. Click for the Equibase.com chart, the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree or VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.

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