Mathis matches familiar foes

ARCADIA, Calif. – The 2017 season began with such promise for the 3-year-old colts Big Score and Bowies Hero.

Each won a stakes in his first start of the year, but since then wins have been hard to come by. Big Score is winless in his last six starts. Bowies Hero has not won since taking the Oceanside Stakes at Del Mar in July four starts ago.

One of them could easily win the final graded stakes of the year for 3-year-olds on turf in the Grade 2 Mathis Brothers Mile on Tuesday’s opening day at Santa Anita.

Their trainers are ready for a breakthrough performance.

“We need him to get the job done,” said Phil D’Amato, who cares for Bowies Hero.

“Hopefully, we can end the year the way we began,” said Tim Yakteen, who trains Big Score.

The $200,000 Mathis Brothers Mile drew a field of eight, including four stakes winners. Big Score and Bowies Hero meet for the fourth consecutive race, with Big Score having finished ahead of Bowies Hero in the Grade 2 Del Mar Derby, Grade 2 Twilight Derby, and Grade 1 Hollywood Derby.

Kroy won two stakes at Gulfstream Park in August and September. B Squared won the California Flag Stakes for California-breds on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita in October and was ninth in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Del Mar on Nov. 4.

KEY CONTENDERS

Big Score, by Mr. Big Last 3 Beyers: 98-94-92

◗ Big Score won the Grade 3 Transylvania Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on turf at Keeneland in April in his first start of the year and has since run in six Grade 1 or Grade 2 races. Big Score has been second or third in five of those races, including a third-place finish, a length behind winner Mo Town, in the Hollywood Derby at Del Mar on Nov. 25.

Before the Hollywood Derby he was second in the Del Mar Derby on Sept. 3 and the Twilight Derby at Santa Anita on Oct. 28.

“In all fairness, the horse keeps improving,” Yakteen said.

◗ Owned by breeder George Krikorian, Big Score typically races as a stalker.

Bowies Hero, by Artie Schiller Last 3 Beyers: 95-93-91

◗ Owned by Agave Racing Stable, Bowies Hero was fifth in the Hollywood Derby at 1 1/8 miles on turf, closing from last in a field of nine to finish 2 1/2 lengths behind Mo Town.

◗ Bowies Hero has won three stakes in his career, all at a mile on turf, including the Singletary Stakes at Santa Anita in May in his first start of the year. Bowies Hero can race as a stalker or as a closer.

“It depends on the race shape,” D’Amato said of tactics. “He’s one of those horses that’s always right there. I think he’s better when he’s stalking and can pounce.”

Colonist, by Pioneerof the Nile Last 3 Beyers: 91-91-96

◗ Colonist was being considered for Tuesday’s Grace 1 Malibu Stakes at seven furlongs on dirt, but trainer Jerry Hollendorfer said the distance of the Mathis Brothers Mile was better for the colt.

“The Malibu is the toughest race in the world to win,” he said. “We know that he likes the [turf]. He’s been training really well.”

◗ Colonist has yet to win a stakes. The Mathis Brothers Mile will be his first start since a fourth in the Del Mar Derby.