The Mathis Mile Stakes (G2), for 3-year-olds contested over a mile on the turf, traces its origins to Dec. 26, 2000, when it was first run as the Sir Beaufort Stakes on opening day of the track’s winter meet.
Originally named after Sir Beaufort, the winner of the 1993 Santa Anita Handicap (G1), the event began as a listed race before being elevated to Grade 3 status in 2006 and further upgraded to Grade 2 in 2011.
In 2014, it was renamed the Mathis Brothers Mile Stakes through a sponsorship agreement with Mathis Brothers Furniture, a prominent Oklahoma-based retailer, and the name was later abbreviated to Mathis Mile Stakes, reflecting the company’s branding while maintaining the race’s prestige.
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Typically held annually on or near Santa Anita’s opening day with a purse of $200,000 since 2013, the race has occasionally shifted to dirt or synthetic surfaces due to inclement weather, as seen in 2003, 2008, 2010, and 2021, but it remains primarily a turf contest that attracts promising young horses.
The inaugural running in 2000 was captured by Fateful Dream, ridden by Kent Desormeaux and trained by the late Bobby Frankel for owner Edmund A. Gann, setting the tone for what would become a showcase for emerging talent. Other notable winners include Orientate (2001), Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) winner Kip Deville (2006), two-time Breeders’ Cup runner-up Gio Ponti (Classic, 2009; Mile, 2010), Sidney’s Candy (2010), Mr. Commons (2011), Bowies Hero (2017), Mo Forza (2019), Smooth Like Strait (2020) and King of Gosford a year ago, the win marking jockey Flavien Prat’s record-breaking 56th graded stakes victory in a single year.
This year, seven will head to post, including 3-2 morning-line favorite Namaron, a German import who has emerged as the one to beat after adapting well to American racing for trainer John Sadler. The Group 3 winner in Germany winner displayed impressive form with placed efforts in stakes company in his only two American starts, including a solid third in the Twilight Derby (G2) at this distance, where he rallied wide but closed strongly.
The switch to blinkers on and pairing with elite rider Prat from post 3 positions him ideally to sit a stalking trip and pounce late.
Friendly Confines (7-2), trained by Richard Baltas, brings consistent speed figures and recent sharpness that makes him a dangerous presser. With Irad Ortiz, Jr. in from the East Coast picking up the mount, expect him to apply early pressure in a race lacking dominant front-runners.
Tempus Volat (9-2) enters off a decent fourth-place finish in the Hollywood Derby (G1) after picking up a convincing victory in the Let It Ride Stakes at Del Mar, where he dictated a moderate pace and kicked clear impressively. Trainer Leonard Powell gives the call back to jockey Mirco Demuro and the pair will break from the favorable post 2, allowing options to either set the fractions or sit just off them. With the heavy rains in California for the past few days, keep an eye on turf condition as this one seems to favor a firmer surface, which typically favors forwardly placed runners.
French import Maaz (5-1) beat just one in the Hollywood Derby but had a legitimate excuse, trainer Michael McCarthy explained.
“Saddle slipped. That was the issue,” McCarthy said.
Overall, the trainer said, this race sets up well for the import. Maaz will have a new rider in Jose Ortiz, leaving from post 7, which could prove helpful if the race sets up with honest early fractions.
Hiding in Honduras (6-1), trained by Jonathan Thomas, drew the rail with Antonio Fresu and could benefit from a ground-saving trip. His form includes competitive efforts against similar company, making him a live underneath play if able to relax early.
The longer-priced pair, Geometry (12-1) with Joel Rosario and Irish shipper Lyle The Crocodile (12-1) under Umberto Rispoli for Phil D’Amato, add depth to the field. The latter in particular brings untapped potential in his graded debut after promising restricted stakes placings overseas and at Del Mar.
Overall, this Mathis Mile lacks a heavy standout but rewards horses with tactical speed and strong rider colonies, promising exotic value in a race where pace scenario and trip will be decisive.
The Mathis Mile is race 5, post time 4:05 p.m. ET, one of six graded stakes races on the card.
The picks: 1 Namaron 2 Friendly Confines 3 Tempus Volat
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
