Watsonville battles back to win Mathis Mile

ARCADIA, Calif. -- Watsonville was unbeaten at Del Mar in the summer, but winless in two graded stakes at Del Mar and Santa Anita in the fall.

The winter season began on a much brighter note for Watsonville with a determined win in Tuesday’s Grade 2 Mathis Mile for 3-year-olds on turf at Santa Anita.

Ridden by Antonio Fresu, Watsonville ($11) stalked the pace, led with a furlong remaining, and briefly lost his advantage before fighting past 7-10 favorite Almendares to win by a nose.

“I think he’s still learning how to run,” trainer Mark Glatt said. “Today was a giant step forward.”

Watsonville was timed in 1:34.55 in the $200,500 Mathis Mile, and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 89. The Mathis Mile was his first stakes win in his third appearance in such a race. Watsonville was sixth in the Grade 2 Twilight Derby here in November, and fourth in the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby at Del Mar on Dec. 2.

In the Mathis Mile, which had a field of six, Watsonville was the third choice. Fresu had Watsonville in second behind 25-1 Calm Sea, who set early fractions of 23.77 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 48.20 for a half-mile.

Watsonville took the lead on the turn when he was quickly challenged by Almendares, who rallied into contention with a three-wide move. Almendares, ridden by Flavien Prat, led narrowly and appeared poised to win when Watsonville rallied to retake the lead at the wire.

“It looked like I had the jump, but he came back on me,” Prat said. “I had no excuse.”

:: Get ready for Santa Anita racing with DRF PPs, Clocker Reports, Picks, and more. Shop Now.

Almendares finished three-quarters of a length in front of 5-2 Dandy Man Shines, who was followed by Panic Alarm, Ah Jeez, and Calm Sea.

Watsonville, a colt by Jack Milton, has won 3 of 7 starts and earned $253,360 for the partnership of Mark Pine and Hans and Anna Maron, who race as Saints and Sinners.

Watsonville was fourth and second in May and June in turf sprints in his first two starts and followed with wins on turf in a maiden race at a mile, and an allowance race at 1 1/16 miles during the Del Mar summer meeting.

The Twilight and Hollywood derbies were run at 1 1/8 miles.

The Mathis Mile distance was a better fit, Glatt said.

“I think shortening up to a mile helped,” he said. “I think he’s getting better with each race.”

The Mathis Mile was Watsonville’s final start against 3-year-olds. He will face tougher fields against older runners in 2024. Race goals for the rest of the winter will be determined in coming weeks.

“It will be different horses now,” Glatt said. “I think we’ll play it by ear.”

“We could freshen him and give him some time. Sometimes, that’s harder to do after a big win.”

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