Del Mar, affectionately known as the track “where the turf meets the surf,” presents a significant challenge for horse trainers, according to veteran conditioner Andy Mathis. Unlike other racing venues that might offer easier opportunities, Del Mar is characterized by its robust fields and the unpredictability of its equine athletes. Mathis, who has been training since 2001, states that it’s the most competitive track he’s encountered in his career, often thwarting even the most well-laid plans.
“Del Mar is such a hard place to win because you have full fields, some horses just don’t like it down here. Some do. Some longshot comes to Del Mar that’s doing good and they beat you and it’s just very tough. A lot of wild cards,” Mathis shared during a break from what has been a notably successful summer meet for the Northern California-based trainer. He elaborated on the unique challenges, noting, “When you think you’re live, something happens. Del Mar’s always that place where horses win that you’re not expecting. Normally, the rest of the year, you look at a race and you think there’s two other horses in here that we gotta beat. If we can beat them, hopefully we’re gonna win the race. Del Mar, you get these odd-ball horses that jump up on you and you can’t narrow it down.”
Despite these hurdles, the 43-year-old Mathis has consistently performed well at the seaside oval in recent years. This season, he boasts an impressive 29% success rate, having won with seven of his 24 starters. This follows a pattern of success, with six wins in 2018, and four wins in both 2019 and 2021. He opted to skip the 2020 meet due to the COVID-19 pandemic, remarking, “Del Mar doesn’t seem like it would be a fun place during a pandemic.”
Mathis highlighted the vibrant atmosphere of Del Mar as a key part of its appeal: “That to me is the fun part about going to the races at Del Mar. Everybody’s into it, big crowds, the beach, the partying. The whole atmosphere. It’s just a fun place to run. A lot of excitement.” This year’s meet has certainly delivered on that promise for Mathis, who expressed pleasant surprise at his early success. “I thought I had a decent lineup (of horses), but I never anticipated winning six races early in the meet,” he admitted, particularly after Offshore Affair secured his seventh victory on Thursday. “That was really beyond any expectations that I would have had.”
Mathis’s passion for horse racing was ignited at a young age, attending races at the Sonoma County Fair with his parents. His interest deepened in high school after obtaining his driver’s license, which allowed him to skip classes and head to the track. His college years were often spent at Bay Meadows, further immersing himself in the world of betting and watching races.
The transition from enthusiast to professional trainer stemmed from a desire for a more engaging career. “It just seemed a much better way to make a living than being stuck in an office all day,” he reflected.
The presence of his two children, a 10-year-old son and a 12-year-old daughter, has profoundly influenced Mathis’s perspective and dedication. “Since I had kids I think I’ve been more dedicated to just setting an example for them, hard work, and just showing them that if you keep working hard at something you can have success,” he stated. He emphasized the grounding effect of fatherhood: “Just trying to be a good father puts things in perspective for me. I can run six horses, all six run up the track, and you come home and your kids think you’re the best, the greatest guy in the world.”
While racing remains a significant passion, Mathis acknowledges its place in his life. “I love racing, everything about the races, but there’s more important things in life. I’ve just been a better person since I had kids. I spend part of the year coaching Little League. That’s probably my most favorite thing to do, and training horses is second.”
Mathis’s training career began modestly with a single claimer named Recklesswarrant. He has since built a substantial operation with a 45-horse stable. Currently, about half of his stock is stabled at Del Mar. Regardless of his final standing at the meet’s conclusion, Mathis considers it a success. “Most likely I’m not going to win six more races,” he acknowledged. “If we could scratch out a couple more wins, it would be fantastic. I think we have chances. It’s a long meet and you can be hot and then get cold or be cold and then get hot. It can be a roller coaster.” Thus far, Mathis’s journey at Del Mar has been an exhilarating ride.
