Click here for a replay of the race and the post-race interview with winning connections.

Ben Curtis (winning rider of 14-1 longshot Malibu Smart. Curtis won the race for the second consecutive year.)

“(Saving ground) has always got to be your plan, Plan A, when you’re going three turns. When you’re going these longer distances, you save as much ground as you can and save a bit for the finish. Everything worked out exactly as I thought it would pre-race. Very happy from where I was looking.

“I saw one or two horses I knew would push forward and I had a nice gate (post position). She broke smartly and I was able to kind of let her run into the first turn and as soon as the leaders got in front of me, she relaxed, came back, started breathing and got in a rhythm. From there, I was very comfortable. Past the half-mile (pole) I just picked up the reins on her and I knew I had plenty of horse there. After running at Kentucky Downs the last race (winning an allowance race Aug. 29 at a mile and a half), stamina, I didn’t think, was going to be a problem. She hit the lane so strong I was able to commit at the quarter pole. She just kept finding (more) for me and I couldn’t pull her up after the wire, so she’s really enjoying life.”

Mike Maker (winning trainer)

On what he saw in Malibu Smart that prompted him to claim her for $30,000 in Dec. 2025 at Fair Grounds

“(Co-owner) Michael Hui said, ‘I like her,’ so, so did I.”

On why she’s done so well in her last three races versus her earlier starts

“We finally got to run her a mile and a half. That’s the key, and I think she wants to run farther than that.”

Michael Hui (winning co-owner)

“(It feels) phenomenal (to be in the Stakes Winner’s Circle at Keeneland). I felt pretty good (about Malibu Smart’s chances), but it isKeeneland and it’s always special to win here, even though I’m an Arkansan, Oaklawn (Park), and own turf horses. I mean, what a phenomenal job by (trainer) Mike Maker. Claiming $30,000 and winning a graded stakes at Keeneland, 12 furlongs — what can you say?”

On what makes his long, successful partnership with trainer Mike Maker work

“Mike Maker. I’m a race track guy. I enjoy the gaming. I grew up around it. The math is very interesting to me. But Mike Maker is the horseman. I’d say about 90-10 Mike Maker.”

Irad Ortiz Jr. (rider of runner-up Fionn)

“She was great. She gave me a good run. I’m happy with her.”

John Velazquez (rider of third-place finisher and beaten favorite Speed Shopper)

“Good trip other than not winning. When I asked her to go at the quarter pole, she didn’t really get going but she still ran well.”