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Originally Posted by Rupert Pupkin
If he is doing well right now, I would think he would be the horse to beat in the Malibu. That's why it surprises me that they would consider the other race.
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Well, we don't really know what sort of emphasis was placed on the "...or the Sir Beaufort" part of the quote, but nonetheless, it wouldn't be shocking to learn that he (and several other horses, eg Fiesty Suances) are nominated to both races. I don't think it really means anything in terms of his current condition (I would suspect Motion wouldn't run in either race if he isn't in top form).
Because the Malibu (as are most other 7f races) is quite friendly to route horses and the seemingly inherent affinity for synthetic surfaces exploited by turf horses, I would guess it will be standard practice among CA horsemen to nominate late season 3yos to both races in the future (so long as the synthetics stay put, anyways).
In recent years, these horses have run in either the Malibu or the Sir Beaufort. I suspect several of these were nominated to both, and I don't think it outlandish to think they couldn't have been contenders in the race other than the one they competed in:
Colonel John, El Gato Malo, Orientate, Medjool, Awesome Gem, In Summation, Mizzen Mast, Monterey Jazz, Mast Track, Buzzard's Bay, Lava Man, Osidy, Wilko, Shamoan, Spring At Last, Arson Squad, Desert Code, and Unusual Suspect.