In an extraordinary effort, Mark Glatt's upstart Watsonville would not be denied in Tuesday's Grade 2, $200,000 Mathis Mile, as he bested heavily favored Almendares by a nose, providing Glatt with an opening day hat trick and jockey Antonio Fresu with a riding double as Watsonville got the one mile turf affair in 1:34.55.
Naturally quick from his outside post, Watsonville sat just off of longshot Calm Sea into the first turn and stalked him up the backside, eventually gaining the advantage midway around the far turn, however Calm Sea battled back gamely turning for home, at which point Almendares put a head in front a sixteenth of a mile out.
From there, Watsonville seemed to relish the fight, battling back gamely with the favorite to his outside and prevailing narrowly on the money in his first stakes triumph.
“I wanted to keep him up close today and give him a target,” said Fresu. “When he hit the front, he pricked his ears and he was off. The favorite actually passed us, but my horse dug in. He continues to get better and better. I won twice with him and he was always green. The last race (Hollywood Derby) was too far for him. I just thought if we were in a better position today, he would respond.”
Fourth in the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby at 1 1/8 miles at Del Mar on Dec. 2, Watsonville, who in his only other start at one mile on turf broke his maiden four starts back on July 29, was off at 9-2 and paid $11.00, $3.80 and $2.60.
Owned by Pine Racing Stables and Saints or Sinners, Watsonville, a 3-year-old colt by the War Front stallion Jack Milton, Watsonville picked up $120,000 for the win and now has three wins from seven starts.
“It is just emotional because Watsonville went through a lot when he was younger,” commented Ana Maron, one of Watsonville's co-owners. “We didn't know if he would make it, so all of us were just kneeling and praying that he would make it through, so seeing him come this far it is exhilarating.”
Ridden by Flavien Prat, English-bred Almendares, off at 3-5, lost a heartbreaker and returned $2.80 and $2.10 while finishing three quarters of a length in front of Irish-bred Dandy Man Shines.
Ridden by Umberto Rispoli, Dandy Man Shines was off at 5-2 and paid $2.20 to show.
Fractions on the Mathis Mile were 23.77, 48.20, 1:11.76 and 1:23.16.
The trophy was presented by Ritt Mathis of Mathis Home, which was part of a major promotion to raise funds for CARMA and Thoroughbred aftercare. “The opening day event is just such a great thing to be a part of. For us the charitable connection of being able to support CARMA and Thoroughbred aftercare, putting the horse first on a day like today where we are all out here celebrating, is what makes it feel really good and what is in the center of our partnership. Trying to look after horses and just being in love with these beautiful athletes.”
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