River Boyne Runs Big in G2 Mathis Brothers Mile

ARCADIA, CA –  River Boyne was dominant in Wednesday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Mathis Brothers Mile Stakes at Santa Anita. This was the third graded stakes victory for the three-year-old Irish-bred son of Dandy Man who finished second his last time out in the G1 Hollywood Derby.

Snazzy Dresser shot to the front for an uncontested lead. Gidu was closest, just over a length back, with Gemonteer and Hardboot not far behind. Meanwhile, 1-5 post-time favorite River Boyne sat near the back of the pack as they made their way around the Santa Anita turf track setting fractions of :22.68, :46.14, and 1:10.21. As they hit the second turn, River Boyne started to make his move with jockey Flavien Prat aboard and Snazzy Dresser faded by the top of the stretch. River Boyne was joined by Gidu and Hardboot at the top of the stretch but they also quickly faded and handed River Boyne sole possession of the lead. Dessert Stone made a strong late move but had to much distance to make up and settled for second. Combatant got up for third and Fight On was fourth.

With his win here, Jockey Flavien Prat picked up his second graded stakes win of the day following his win aboard Spiced Perfection in the G1 La Brea earlier in the card.

“I had a great trip, he broke well and then it was more about getting him to relax,” said Prat. “With the mile sometimes, it’s a bit tough to get him to relax. Today we had some pace, he relaxed well, made a nice move when I asked him to go and he gave everything he had to hang in there.”

This was the second win of the day for the Red Baron’s Barn LLC and Rancho Temscal LLC who teamed up earlier in the day for a victory with Amandine in the Lady of Shamrock Stakes.

After the race, Mark Cohen of Red Baron’s Barn LLC said, “We went for so many years of losing races with cheaper horses that we bred, it’s just incredible to have all of these top turf horses. My dad doesn’t take any of this for granted, but I guess I am. This horse is so consistent, he just wants to win.”

River Boyne returned $2.80 to win, $2.20 to place, and $2.20 to show. Desert Stone brought back $5.20 to place and $3.40 to show, while Combatant paid $4.60 to show. Santa Anita’s new Roulette wager paid $2.60.

Scratch: Sejo (Trainer)