Santa Anita Mathis Mile wide-open betting affair

ARCADIA, Calif. – Every starter in the Grade 2 Santa Anita Mathis Mile on opening day at Santa Anita has something to prove. In a way, the entire field is underqualified.

For the first time since the 2012 edition, the Mathis does not include a graded stakes winner. Bettors won’t mind. The absence of a clear favorite Tuesday in the historically predictable turf mile for 3-year-olds may increase its wagering appeal.

Favorites are 9 for 17 since the Mathis became a graded race; favoritism this year is a three-way toss-up between Watsonville, Dandy Man Shines, and Almendares. Other entrants are Reiquist, Panic Alarm, Calm Sea, and Ah Jeez. The Mathis is the middle leg of the $3 all-turf pick three on races 7, 9, and 11.

The principals all ran well last out. Watsonville finished fourth in a Grade 1, Dandy Man Shines won a restricted stakes for 3-year-olds, Almendares won a second-level allowance against older. In a close call, the Mathis edge might go to Watsonville, who came around when trainer Mark Glatt stretched him out in summer for his third start.

“He progressed a little quicker than I thought he might,” Glatt said, referring to back-to-back wins in maiden and allowance turf routes. “I didn’t think he would jump up and win [the allowance] off his maiden win. I thought he would need a couple races at that level.”

:: Access morning workout reports straight from the tracks and get an edge with DRF Clocker Reports

Watsonville’s upward pattern continued in the Grade 2 Twilight Derby at Santa Anita. Used early from post 13, he pressed the pace, led into the lane, and got swallowed. Last out in the Hollywood Derby, he pressed and finished fourth. Both races were at 1 1/8 miles.

“I don’t know if I’m sold on what his best distance is,” Glatt said, implying one mile might be preferred.

Antonio Fresu rides Watsonville, who drops in class and should be forwardly placed in a race with a murky pace.

Dandy Man Shines is 2 for 2 since returning from a layoff. Imported after losing his first two starts in England in 2022, he then lost his first five starts in the United States.

“He didn’t really adapt when he got here from Europe,” trainer Jeff Mullins said. “We just gave him a break, and when he came back, he was a different horse.”

Dandy Man Shines won a maiden turf mile in September and the restricted Let It Ride Stakes at Del Mar in November with a 22.94-second final quarter. However, most years, the Let It Ride is usually a negative key race. The race has been run 10 times; every winner lost next out.

“It’s obviously a class hike just by the status of the race,” Mullins acknowledged, comparing the Mathis and Let It Ride. “But [the Mathis] is a 3-year-old race, and you just can’t pass it up.”

:: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match + FREE All Access PPs! Join DRF Bets.

Dandy Man Shines will be ridden by Umberto Rispoli.

Almendares won an allowance in his U.S. debut, finished third in the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby, and then was fifth with trouble in the Twilight Derby. Last out, he scored a sharp allowance win against older while running faster each successive quarter-mile.

Flavien Prat rides again for trainer Phil D’Amato.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.