Do  not oppose Desert Of Malibu on Saturday

GONE are the days when winning a late-season race or two would significantly boost earnings towards Mouttet Mile qualification. Halfway through the year, some familiar names have had to be scrambling in a new points system, which could also determine gate allocations in the US$100,000 Bruceontheloose Sprint.

Gary Subratie’s stable star, United States-bred DESERT OF MALIBU, second in last year’s Port Royal Sprint to eventual Mouttet Mile winner, RIDEALLDAY, and third in the Bruceontheloose to OF A REVOLUTION, hunts back-to-back wins this Saturday after outclassing overnight-allowance runners in the Easter Sprint at five and a half furlongs.

Though her handlers might very well aim at the Bruceontheloose’s US$100,000 purse for a second year, DESERT OF MALIBU could face stiff competition for a gate. Should local-based horses with greater Mouttet Mile points opt to avoid impressive foreign invaders in the US$300,000 Mouttet Mile race, the Bruceontheloose could get crowded.

There could also be a scenario of foreign invaders, similar to last year’s winner, OF A REVOLUTION, shipping directly into the Bruceontheloose as an option.

Sitting 62nd on 10 points earned from the Easter Sprint, DESERT OF MALIBU, a proven grade-one runner, should have no problems dismissing rivals in the Harlequin Cup at five and a half furlongs.

However, only 30 points are allocated for winning an open allowance below six furlongs, which would only move DESERT OF MALIBU to 40 points, still way down the totem ladder, spots occupied by AMERICAN AVIATOR, SHE’S THAT GIRL, DREAM CATCHER and CALIFORNIA CROWN.

Other runners have been busy gathering points to secure gates for the Caribbean’s richest day of racing.

FUNCAANDUN, Mouttet Mile 2024 winner, third in last year's race behind RIDEALLDAY and LEGACY ISLE, recently earned 60 points towards a 2026 gate with a convincing victory over his stablemates in the Seeking My Dream Trophy at seven and a half furlongs.

American FUNCAANDUN's win bumped him up to 100 points, sixth in the table led by already-qualified RIDEALLDAY. GIRVANO, who proved no match for stablemate and compatriot FUNCAANDUN, moved to third on 130 points behind RIDEALLDAY and PACK PLAYS (150), earning 20 points for a third-place finish.

United States-bred BARNABY, who had finished ahead of FUNCAANDUN and GIRVANO in April's win-and-you're-in Ian Levy Cup, third behind RIDEALLDAY, sits joint fourth alongside OF A REVOLUTION on 110 points.