Raging Torrent won the $200,000 Malibu Stakes by 1 1/4 lengths on Thursday at Santa Anita, with Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan finishing last in the final Grade 1 stakes of the year in the United States.

The Kentucky Derby winner returns from a six-month layoff to face tough sprinters in Thursday’s Malibu Stakes to kick off the track’s 90th-anniversary season

Raging Torrent, bet down to the 5-2 favorite, finished best of all to provide trainer Doug O’Neill with his first-ever win in the Grade 1, $300,000 Malibu Stakes for 3-year-olds going seven furlongs on opening day at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif.

Firming into 13-5 favoritism in the final few clicks of the tote, Raging Torrent (Maximus Mischief) found his best stride well off the inside entering the final eighth of a mile and staved off a late challenge from 2024 GI Santa Anita Derby winner Stronghold (Ghostzapper) to win Thursday's GI Malibu Stakes,

The Kentucky Derby winner will return to face Stronghold, Bentornato and Raging Torrent in the Grade I, $300,000 Malibu Stakes on opening day Dec. 26