<p>The 2025 Malibu Stakes is a Grade 1 race for 3-year-olds run over 7 furlongs on the dirt, offering a purse of $300,000 (AU$452,655) as part of the track’s opening-day card for the 2025–26 meet.</p> <p>Traditionally a key winter target for top sprinters exiting the 3-year-old season, the Malibu is scheduled as Race 10 and anchors a six-stakes program designed to launch the winter-spring season in Southern California.</p> <p>The race has drawn a high-profile group led by<strong> Barnes</strong> and <strong>Cornucopian</strong>, both seeking a first Grade 1 victory and both trained by<strong> Bob Baffert</strong>, who has already won this event six times and targets it regularly as a showcase for his best 3-year-old sprinters.</p> <p>Several other promising colts from the same crop are expected to join them, making the Malibu a fast-run, highly competitive 7-furlong test that often serves as a springboard to major one-turn races for older horses the following year.</p> <h2>When Is the 2025 Malibu Stakes?</h2> <p>The 2025 Malibu Stakes will take place on Monday, December 29 (AEDT), after organisers decided to push it back from its December 27 slot due to rain.</p> <h2>Where Is the 2025 Malibu Stakes Held?</h2> <p>The 2025 Malibu Stakes meet is held at Santa Anita Park in California.</p> <h2>2025 Malibu Stakes Prize Money</h2> <p>The 2025 Malibu Stakes has a total purse of $300,000 (AU$452,655), and the winner’s share is typically 60% of the purse, which is $180,000 (AU$271,593).</p> <h2>How To Bet On The 2025 Malibu Stakes?</h2> <p>It is possible to bet on the upcoming 2025 Malibu Stakes with Sportsbet.</p> <p>You can find all of the latest <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/racing-schedule">horse racing betting odds</a> available within the dedicated ‘Racing’ section of the site, as we continue to make it easy for you to place a bet on the action in the simplest of ways.</p> <p>Using the chosen device, placing a bet can be done in a few simple steps. Simply select the odds of the horse you like to add it to your betting slip. Set your stake and then hit the ‘Place Bet’ button at the bottom once you are happy to confirm your bet!</p> <h2>2025 Malibu Stakes: Betting Preview</h2> <p>Looking ahead to the upcoming race, we’ve made our top 2025 Malibu Stakes betting predictions based on the field that has been confirmed to run on Monday, December 29 (AEDT).</p> <p><strong>Our top pick is to back Barnes to win</strong> this race. Trained by a six-time winner in Bob Baffert, Barnes recently returned to form after a tricky few races. He won by 8 1/4 lengths in the Perryville Stakes (G3), which was raced over a distance of seven furlongs. <strong>José Ortiz</strong> has the ride once again, so we expect to see Barnes keep his good form going on the dirt.</p> <p><strong>Cornucopian</strong> could be a good <strong>each-way bet</strong> in this race. Cornucopian hasn’t had too many races, but when involved, has been strong.</p>