Desert of Malibu faces California Crown in five-furlong showdown

BY all indications this afternoon’s top-rated, $1.4-million Open Allowance contest is a two-horse war on paper, but at five furlongs (1,000m) on the round course — one of the trickiest trips at Caymanas Park — anything can happen from the gate.

The race has attracted just five runners, but what it lacks in numbers it more than makes up for in quality, with the classy Desert of Malibu taking on speedster California Crown.

Trained by Gary Subratie for owner Houston Stables, the seven-year-old, American-bred, daughter of Malibu Moon comes in as the horse to beat on class. She has won two races this season from four starts — the Overnight Allowance Easter Sprint over 5½ furlongs (1,100m) on April 6, when she showed her customary tactical speed and quickened decisively to win by 3 ¾ lengths, and she was also impressive beating California Crown himself in the Hall of Fame Stakes on July 18.