Mo Forza, Neptune's Storm meet again in Mathis Brothers Mile
Bred and owned in-part by former trainer Barry Abrams, Mo Forza, a Kentucky-bred colt by Uncle Mo, looms the horse to beat in Saturday’s Grade 2, $200,000 Mathis Brothers Mile over the Santa Anita Park turf.
The Mathis Brothers Mile, which has attracted a field of 11 3-year-olds, also includes the Richard Baltas-trained Neptune’s Storm, who has been narrowly defeated by the top choice in his last two starts.
Owner: Bardy Farm & OG Boss
Trainer: Peter Miller
With all eight of his lifetime starts coming on grass, Mo Forza broke his maiden at a mile on turf here three starts back on Sept. 29. Off at 18-1 in the Twilight Derby (G2) going 1 1/8 miles on turf Nov. 2, he pressed the pace and prevailed by 1 ¾ lengths. The 5-2 favorite in the Hollywood Derby (G1) at Del Mar Nov. 30, he kept Neptune’s Storm at bay late to win by three quarters of length and is thus strictly the horse to beat on Saturday.
Owner: CYBT, Gevertz, Gitomer, et al
Trainer: Richard Baltas
In what has been an incredible year, this Kentucky-bred colt by Stormy Atlantic has never been off the board in 10 starts, winning four, while second or third three times each. A three-quarter length winner going 1 1/8 miles on turf three starts back in the Hill Prince Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park Oct. 5, he was third, beaten two lengths by Mo Forza, in the Twilight Derby and nearly scored in gate to wire fashion while second to “Mo” in the Hollywood Derby.
THE MATHIS BROTHERS MILE IN POST POSITION ORDER
Race 10 of 11; approximate post time 3:30 p.m. PT
1. Sash—Drayden Van Dyke—120
2. Originaire—Umberto Rispoli—120
3. Ocean Fury—Flavien Prat—120
4. Never Easy—Rafael Bejarano--120
5. Mo Forza—Joel Rosario—124
6. Neptune’s Storm—Abel Cedillo—124
7. Kingly—Mario Gutierrez—122
8. Proud Pedro—Tyler Baze—120
9. Barristan The Bold—Javier Castellano—120
10. Loafers Boy—Tiago Pereira—120
11. Bob and Jackie—Heriberto Figueroa—122