Matareya much the best in Beaumont

Apr 10, 2022 Kellie Reilly/Brisnet.com

Heavy favorite Matareya romped in Sunday’s $400,000 Beaumont (G3) at Keeneland, bringing the curtain down on the Road to the Kentucky Oaks. But because the Godolphin homebred has excelled since shortening up to sprints, trainer Brad Cox isn’t thinking Oaks. 

Rather, the Eight Belles (G2) on Oaks Day and other one-turn targets are on her radar, with Matareya possibly carving out a path to the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) back at Keeneland this fall.

On Sunday, the 1.10-1 choice was quick into stride from the outside post 7. But Lady Scarlet was hustled on the rail to grab the lead, and Matareya was happy to track in the opening half-mile. When jockey Flavien Prat gave her the cue turning for home, the favorite readily went by Lady Scarlet and drew off by a gaudy 8 1/2 lengths. Matareya covered the about seven-furlong Beard Course in 1:27.55.

As a one-turn event, the Beaumont offered a smaller measure of Oaks points on the 10-4-2-1 scale. Like Matareya, the rest of Sunday’s points earners are not pursuing the Oaks. 
Radio Days rallied from last to take second by 1 3/4 lengths from Reagan’s Decision, who was third at every call. Lady Scarlet tired to fourth, followed by Majestic d’Oro, Gina Romantica, and Chi Town Lady.

Matareya advanced her record to 6-3-2-0, $374,267. Her only unplaced effort, a fifth in the Oct. 8 Alcibiades (G1) on the Oaks trail, was also her longest race at 1 1/16 miles. Runner-up in the Nov. 27 Fern Creek S. on the cutback to a sprint at Churchill Downs, she tried a one-mile allowance at Oaklawn Park, where she wound up a distant second as the 3-5 favorite. That result has taken on different proportions now, since the winner was a leading Oaks contender in Secret Oath. Matareya has thrived since sticking to sprinting, wiring a Fair Grounds allowance Feb. 26 and scoring her first stakes in the Beaumont.

Yet her pedigree suggests that in time, Matareya could handle a bit more ground. The Kentucky-bred is by Pioneerof the Nile and out of Grade 3 victress Innovative Idea, by Bernardini. 
“We were hoping she’d go long,” Cox told Keeneland publicity. “She trained like she would. Flavien made the comment that he didn’t see why she wouldn’t. But she’s kind of shown us she enjoys the cutback, so we’ll probably stick to one turn for now.”

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