Hiding in Honduras gets up late to nail the Mathis Mile, Santa Anita Park Photo
Santa Anita Park Press
ARCADIA, CA —Making just his third start, Hiding in Honduras enjoyed a ground-saving trip under Antonio Fresu and nailed pacesetter Tempus Volat on the wire to win the Grade II, $200,000 Mathis Mile for 3-year-olds on turf on Opening Day at Santa Anita Park Sunday.
Hiding in Honduras (9-1), trained by Jonathan Thomas for owner Robert LaPenta, won by a head in a time of 1:35.13 following fractions of 23.35, 47.63 and 1:12.31 set by Tempus Volat (5-1) and Mirco Demuro. Namaron, the heavy 1-2 favorite for trainer John Sadler, finished another length back in third under Flavien Prat.
Owned by Robert V. LaPenta, Hiding in Honduras is a Kentucky-bred colt by Dialed In out of the Freud mare La Moneda. He sold for $40,000 in the 2023 Keeneland Horses of All Ages sale. Hiding in Honduras debuted on synthetic at Presque Isle Downs on Oct. 25 and promptly aired by 7 ¾ lengths. Sent west following that effort, Hiding in Honduras previously was fourth in the one mile Let It Ride Stakes won by Tempus Volat on Oct. 30 at Del Mar.
Hiding in Honduras paid $21.40, $9.00 and $4.20. Tempus Volat, trained by Leonard Powell, returned $5.40 and $2.80. Namaron paid $2.10 to show.
