Give Me the Lute Gives Mathis Third Consecutive Albany Win

BERKELEY, CA – Trainer Andy Mathis picked up his third consecutive victory in Saturday’s feature at Golden Gate Fields, the $50,000 Albany Stakes, after his 5-year-old gelding Give Me the Lute set a blistering fast pace, opened up on the competition turning for home, and held off a late challenge from race favorite Brandothebartender to pick up his first career stakes victory.

Give Me the Lute, who went 21.01 and 44.28 for the first two 1/4-mile splits, stopped the clock for 5 panels in a swift 56.26 seconds. The son of Midnight Lute was ridden to victory in the 5-furlong turf sprint by Irving Orozco. Mathis won the 2019 and 2020 editions with Mike Tiznow.

The 4/5 favorite Brandothebartender, winner of the Crystal Water and Sensational Star Stakes at Santa Anita earlier this year, sat at the back of the field before producing a fast rally in the final furlong to complete the exacta. Bettor Trip Nick checked in third.

Give Me the Lute paid $6.60 to win, $3.20 to place and $2.20 to win. Brandothebartender returned $3.00 to place and $2.20 to show while Bettor Trip Nick paid $2.60 to show.

Give Me the Lute, sent off as the 2/1 second choice in the wagering, was bred in California by Gary Barber. He is now owned by Rod and Wendy Hogan, who claimed Give Me the Lute for $80,000 at Del Mar in 2019. With the Albany Stakes win, Give Me the Lute holds a lifetime record of 5 wins, 2 seconds, and 2 thirds, with career earnings of just shy of $180,000.