ARCADIA, Calif. -- Minus a decent night of sleep, Julie Krone was buzzing through the Santa Anita stables on Friday morning, a day after she became the first woman rider to win a Grade 1 stakes in California, aboard Debonair Joe in the $200,000 Malibu Stakes.

	Jockey Julie Krone smiles after winning the Malibu on Santa Anita's opening day.

The world's leading female rider, Krone has won numerous major stakes in her 20-year career. Still, she compared the win in the Malibu to her milestone victory in the

1993 Belmont Stakes, which gave her the distinction of becoming the first woman to ride the winner of a Triple Crown race.

"I didn't sleep at all," Krone said. "I couldn't. That's the most excited I've been since the Belmont Stakes."

The win is the first major stakes score of Krone's comeback, which began on Nov. 1 after an absence of 3 1/2 years. It was also Krone's first career win at Santa Anita. Aside from a few mounts in early November before the end of the Oak Tree at Santa Anita meet, Krone had only ridden a few major races at Santa Anita earlier in her career.

While Debonair Joe was a 26-1 outsider, the victory was a popular one. As Krone guided the former claimer back to the winner's circle, she was warmly greeted by a packed clubhouse.

"Only a couple of times in my life - when I was on Rubiano, in the Belmont Stakes, and at Keeneland, where they draw a different kind of crowd - have I heard a crowd react like that," Krone said.

Debonair Joe won his second consecutive stakes in the Malibu, which came 19 days after he won the Vernon Underwood Stakes at Hollywood Park at 52-1.

In the paddock before Thursday's race, Krone told trainer Juan Pablo Silva that she wanted to use the same tactics in the Malibu that had worked in the Underwood - staying at the back of the field until the final three furlongs.

"He's fun to ride," Krone said. "I just have to give him somewhere to go."

Debonair Joe broke well, and was wide on the backstretch while racing at the back of the field. Krone kept Debonair Joe four wide on the turn and five wide entering the stretch. Fourth at the eighth pole, Debonair Joe caught Total Limit in the final few strides, finishing seven furlongs in 1:22.40.

"He had a real concept where the wire is," Krone said. "It was a wonderful performance from Joe."

American System, who fought with Total Limit for the lead, finished third, a half-length behind the winner.

The list of also-rans was full of horses that ran disappointing races.

Castle Gandolfo, who was 12th in the Kentucky Derby, finished fifth in his first start for trainer Craig Dollase. My Cousin Matt, the winner of the Great State Challenge Sprint at Sam Houston Race Park on Dec. 7, could only manage sixth. Mayakovsky, the winner of the Gotham Stakes in March, chased and was done early.

Sunday Break, who was third in the Belmont Stakes and was sent off as the 5-2 favorite, finished last. He was third after a quarter-mile, but was quickly out of contention.

"I'm not sure how much he likes being down on the rail," trainer Neil Drysdale said.