Thomas Trio is the headliner of American Oaks

Trainer Jonathan Thomas has entered three in search of his first American Oaks (G1T), but he faces several trainers who have already won the 1 1/4 mile turf race for 3-year-old fillies.

Cherie DeVaux, Leonard Powell, Phil D’Amato and Richard Baltas are veterans of this race, which started in 2002 as a summer event on Hollywood Park. After the demise of that song, Saint Anita continues to offer it, now as one of the bets on the opening day card. Originally scheduled for December 26, that card was moved to December 28 due to forecasted heavy rain.

Thomas’ trio are all owned by George Strawbridge Jr.’s Augustin Stables. They all have black type, but will be looking for their first grade 1 wins.

Like catching can is coming off a three-quarter win at the Old Dominion Oaks on September 6 Colonial downs. She also finished second in the 2024 Mazarine Stakes (G3) at WoodbineSweet Life Stakes 2025 at Santa Anita, and Bourbonette Oaks 2025 at Turfway Park. Joel Rosario comes in for the card and will ride As Catch Can for the first time.

Then want won the China Doll Stakes at Santa Anita last March after capping her 2-year-old season with a score in the Jimmy Durante Stakes (G3T) at Sea. She has not won since the China Doll, although she finished third in the San Clemente Handicap (G2T). Jockey Flavien Prat takes her over from Thomas.

Although Which one may have the lightest resume of the three Thomas runners, but she always gives a good account of herself, with a first, two seconds, a third and a fourth in five starts. In her only stakes attempt, Ambaya placed third in the September 27 Christiana Stakes Delaware Park. Antonio Fresu will be on board.

Baltas could get his third American Oaks Lady Prancealot in 2019 and Spanish queen in 2015. He is training now Falling behind which will make its North American debut. Atsila won two of seven races in England and Ireland, including the Athasi Stakes (G3) and is in Group 1. She was vet of the November 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T) at Del Mar.

D’Amato is always dangerous with grass runners, especially with Irish-bred horses. He won this race in 2022 with Irish bred Rhea Moon and he returns this year with another Irish bred, Smooth . Slick hasn’t made any progress in three stakes attempts, but she has had some nice wins at Santa Anita.

He won the American Oaks in 2023 with Leonard Powell Anise and will saddle two – Ribbons And Dissolve this time. Ribbons is a nose-gaining frontrunner at a mile in reimbursement/optional claiming company and makes her stakes debut. Determination often comes from this, which has sometimes forced her to take great journeys. She came third behind Will Then in the Durante.

DeVaux won the 2024 American Oaks with Lael Stables’ She feels beautiful and has Cliffs this year for the same owner. Cliffs in five starts at Churchill Downs And Saratoga has two wins, one at each of these tracks. This will be Cliffs’ first betting attempt.

A thousand miles , Take a deep breath And Completely justified round out the field.