Beyond Brilliant works toward Mathis Brothers Mile
Beyond Brilliant, winner of the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby on Nov. 27 at Del Mar, worked a half-mile in 49.20 seconds on Friday at Santa Anita for a potential start in the Grade 2 Mathis Brothers Mile on turf on Dec. 26.
Beyond Brilliant is trained by John Shirreffs, who said the colt’s progress in the next 10 days will determine whether the Mathis Brothers Mile is an appropriate race.
The $200,000 Mathis Brothers Mile for 3-year-olds is one of six graded stakes on the Dec. 26 opening-day program at Santa Anita.
The stable plans to run Express Train in the Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on Dec. 26. Express Train, winner of two Grade 2 races earlier this year, was scratched from the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 6 at Del Mar after sustaining a hock injury in the days before the race.