Malibu Stakes Marks Return of Music Merci : Santa Anita: Gelding will race for first time in four months as Arcadia track begins 90-day meeting.

The Music Merci money machine is ready to roll again.

After more than four months away from the races, the gray gelding returns today in the $112,200 Malibu Stakes at Santa Anita Park.

The seven-furlong feature headlines an opening day program that is expected to draw more than 40,000 fans, according to track management. Music Merci will face 10 other 3-year-olds in the Malibu, which has been won in the 1980s by the likes of Spectacular Bid, Precisionist and Ferdinand.

No one has ever put Music Merci in such company--not even trainer Craig Lewis or owners Harvey Cohen and Lonnie Pendleton. It has been more than 10 months since the son of Stop the Music has won a race outright. His only Grade I victory came in the 1988 Del Mar Futurity.

But in only 17 starts over two campaigns, he has won $1.2 million, not bad for a horse who sold for $6,068 as a yearling and then for $51,000 as a 2-year-old.

Music Merci’s hallmark is consistency--seven wins, three seconds and three thirds. But his most recent race was the worst of his life, and the only time he was out of the money in 1989. He finished last in the Del Mar Derby Aug. 20.

“He’d had a pretty tough campaign to that point,” Lewis said. “Back and forth across the country several times, always running his heart out. It was time for a break.

“He came out of the Del Mar race with a sore back, and he got a little sick. If ever a horse earned a rest, he did.”

Music Merci ran at six tracks in 1989, picking up sizable checks at Monmouth Park in New Jersey, Canterbury Downs in Minnesota and Sportsman’s Park in Chicago, where he ended up winning the Illinois Derby on the disqualification of Notation.

The Illinois money was hard to collect, however. Notation’s owners dragged the Music Merci group through an appeals process that lasted all summer and into the fall.

“It was crazy,” Cohen said. “For some reason those people really hated us, like we had something to do with the interference in the race. And the funny thing is, when you look at the tape of the race, you kind of gasp because the foul is so blatant.”

Lewis expects a good race from Music Merci in the Malibu, but not necessarily a victory.

“He’s ready to go, but I’m not sure he’s 100% tight,” the trainer said. “Anyway, it’s the big money we’re gunning for.”

Lewis was referring to such prizes as the $200,000 San Fernando Stakes on Jan. 14, the $500,000 Strub Stakes on Feb. 3 and the $1-million Santa Anita Handicap on March 4.

Music Merci will be ridden for the first time today by Laffit Pincay, who is replacing Gary Stevens. Stevens committed himself to the promising Navajo Storm for the Malibu, but at the last minute trainer Jack Van Berg decided to keep the son of Storm Bird in the barn. Stevens picked up the mount on the Laz Barrera-trained Tokatee instead.

Music Merci’s toughest competition could come from Bruho, whose unpredictable antics could be cured by blinkers today. Also in the field are Raise a Stanza, Northern California star Rob an Plunder, and Hollywood Park winners Crown Collection, Premium Award, Doncareer and Dakotah Thunder. Comical and Exemplary Leader complete the lineup.

Horse Racing Notes

In today’s seventh race, at a mile on the grass, mile-record holder Sticky Wile will run against 1 1/8-mile record-holder Sugarplum Gal, as well as Davie’s Lamb, Raintree Renegade and Imperial Star. Sticky Wile came out of her last race at Oak Tree with a tender ankle, but she has worked well for her return. . . . Expect to be inundated by Bill Shoemaker promotional activity during the first six weeks of the 90-day Santa Anita meet. Shoemaker is scheduled to make the final ride of his 42-year career on Saturday, Feb. 3 . . . Santa Anita’s admission prices have gone up a quarter for the grandstand (now $3) and 50 cents for the clubhouse (now $6.50).

Pat Valenzuela is not the only jockey making a comeback today. Veteran Frank Olivares and newcomer Gary Boulanger are returning from injuries. They have each been named on two horses . . . Replays of the Santa Anita races will be broadcast at 8 p.m. on KCSI (Channel 8) . . . First post is noon.