In a thrilling stretch duel, Jose Ortiz, aboard Law Professor, managed to outduel Kent Desormeaux aboard favored Beyond Brilliant, taking Sunday’s $200,000 Santa Anita Mathis Mile Stakes by a half length. Originally carded on turf, the Mathis Mile was one of six Opening Day races shifted to dirt due to heavy rains over the past five days. Accordingly, the Santa Anita Mathis Mile result will be reviewed later this week by the American Graded Stakes Committee, which will determine if the race will remain a Grade II for statistical purposes.
Trained by Michael McCarthy, Law Professor, who came off a five month freshening to rally and win a first condition allowance going a mile on turf Nov. 27 at Del Mar, was off at 4-1 in a field of nine sophomores and paid $10.20, $4.60 and $3.20.
Owned by Twin Creeks Racing Stables, LLC, Law Professor, who was making his second graded stakes start, tracked Beyond Brilliant to the far turn, and drew alongside a quarter mile from home in a hard-earned victory. Law Professor, a colt by Constitution, now has three wins from seven starts and with the winner’s share of $120,000, increased his earnings to $226,640.
A winner of the Grade I Hollywood Derby in his most recent start, Beyond Brilliant was off at 7-5 and paid $3.20 and $2.60 while finishing some 8 ½ lengths clear of Tarantino.
Off at 8-1 with Juan Hernandez up, Tarantino paid $5.20 to show.
Fractions on the race were 23.26, 46.65, 1:10.95 and 1:23.62
Santa Anita Press Release
Photo: Benoit Photo
