American Oaks 2025: Thomas Trio Takes on Veteran Trainers (2026)

Picture this: a high-stakes showdown on the lush turf of Santa Anita Park, where one ambitious trainer aims to shatter the mold by sending three talented fillies into the fray for his maiden victory in the prestigious American Oaks (G1T). It's a race that tests the mettle of 3-year-old fillies over a demanding 1 1/4-mile distance, and Jonathan Thomas is betting big on his Augustin Stables-owned trio. But here's where it gets controversial—can these newcomers dethrone the seasoned veterans who've dominated this event time and again? Let's dive into the drama and discover why this year's edition, shifted from December 26 to December 28 due to impending heavy rain, promises to be unforgettable.

Jonathan Thomas, a trainer on the hunt for his inaugural triumph in this classic turf race, faces stiff competition from a lineup of experienced handlers who've already tasted victory in the American Oaks. Established back in 2002 as a summer highlight at Hollywood Park, the race has evolved seamlessly under Santa Anita's stewardship (check out more at https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/racetracks/23/santa-anita-park), now anchoring the track's opening-day festivities. For beginners wondering what makes this race special, it's all about the historic significance and the challenge of navigating the downhill turf course, where speed, stamina, and strategic jockey positioning can make or break a contender.

Thomas' three entries, all boasting notable achievements known as 'black type' in racing lingo—which essentially means they've earned placements in graded stakes races—are owned by George Strawbridge Jr.'s Augustin Stables and are chasing their first Grade 1 win. This adds an extra layer of excitement, as these fillies are proven performers aiming to elevate their status in the sport.

Leading the charge is As Catch Can (learn more at https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/thoroughbred/as-catch-can/2022), fresh off a commanding three-quarter-length victory in the September 6 Old Dominion Oaks at Colonial Downs (explore the track here: https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/racetracks/41/colonial-downs). Her resume also shines with a second-place finish in the 2024 Mazarine Stakes (G3) at Woodbine (https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/racetracks/28/woodbine), plus strong showings in the 2025 Sweet Life Stakes at Santa Anita and the 2025 Bourbonette Oaks at Turfway Park (https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/racetracks/27/turfway-park). Joel Rosario, a top jockey stepping in for this event, will guide her for the first time, bringing his expert touch to potentially unlock even more potential.

Next up is Will Then (details at https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/thoroughbred/will-then/2022), who clinched the China Doll Stakes at Santa Anita in March following a stellar 2-year-old campaign capped by a win in the Jimmy Durante Stakes (G3T) at Del Mar (https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/racetracks/11/del-mar). While she hasn't crossed the wire first since then, her third in the San Clemente Handicap (G2T) proves she's still a force. Flavien Prat, another skilled rider, takes the reins for Thomas, and his versatility could help her rebound in this competitive field.

Rounding out Thomas' hopefuls is Ambaya (https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/thoroughbred/ambaya/2022), the trio's least decorated entrant with a modest record of one win, two seconds, a third, and a fourth across five outings. Yet, she consistently delivers solid efforts, as evidenced by her third in the September 27 Christiana Stakes at Delaware Park (https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/racetracks/44/delaware-park)—her sole stakes appearance. Antonio Fresu will pilot her, and for those new to racing, this shows how even underdogs can surprise with tenacity and heart.

And this is the part most people miss: the veterans are no pushovers, with Richard Baltas eyeing his third American Oaks crown after successes with Lady Prancealot in 2019 (https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/thoroughbred/lady-prancealot-ire/2016) and Spanish Queen in 2015 (https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/thoroughbred/spanish-queen/2012). His current charge, Atsila (https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/thoroughbred/atsila-ire/2022), arrives for her North American debut after capturing two races in England and Ireland, including the Athasi Stakes (G3), and placing in a Group 1 event. She was unfortunately scratched from the November 1 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T) at Del Mar, but her international pedigree sparks debate—do imported horses like Atsila hold an unfair edge with their global experience, or is it a level playing field once they adapt to American tracks?

Phil D'Amato, renowned for his prowess with turf runners, especially those bred in Ireland, secured the 2022 victory with Rhea Moon (https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/thoroughbred/rhea-moon-ire/2019). He returns with another Irish import, Slick (https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/thoroughbred/slick-ire/2022), who has yet to impress in three graded stakes but boasts a pair of strong non-graded wins at Santa Anita. This begs the question: is D'Amato's track-specific success a testament to his training genius, or simply the result of favorable Santa Anita conditions?

Leonard Powell, fresh off his 2023 win with Anisette (https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/thoroughbred/anisette-gb/2020), fields two contenders this time: Ribbons (https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/thoroughbred/ribbons/2022), a speedster debuting in stakes company after a narrow allowance win at a mile, and Resolve (https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/thoroughbred/resolve/2022), who often rallies from behind, sometimes leading to wide trips, and previously finished third to Will Then in the Durante Stakes. Powell's strategy of mixing paces could create tactical intrigue, but does favoring a front-runner like Ribbons risk burning her out early on the downhill turf?

Cherie DeVaux, who claimed last year's title with Lael Stables' She Feels Pretty (https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/thoroughbred/she-feels-pretty/2021), brings Cliffs (https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/thoroughbred/cliffs/2022) for the same connections. In her five starts at Churchill Downs (https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/racetracks/10/churchill-downs) and Saratoga (https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/racetracks/24/saratoga-race-course), Cliffs secured one win at each venue, making this her first crack at stakes action. It's a classic story of potential versus experience, and DeVaux's track record adds weight to her chances.

The field is completed by A Thousand Miles (https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/thoroughbred/a-thousand-miles/2022), Take a Breath (https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/thoroughbred/take-a-breath-gb/2022), and Totally Justified (https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/thoroughbred/totally-justified/2022), each bringing their own narratives to the table.

For the full entries in the American Oaks presented by Cygames (G1T) (http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/race/usa/sa/2025/12/28/11/thomas-trio-headlines-american-oaks) at Santa Anita Park (https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/racetracks/by-trackid/usa/sa) on Sunday, December 28, 2025, Race 11:

It's a Grade I event
1 1/4 miles on downhill turf
Purse: $300,000
For 3-year-old fillies
Post time: 4:20 PM local

With so much talent and history on display, who do you think will emerge victorious? Is the emphasis on international bloodlines giving some horses an unwarranted advantage, or does it enrich the sport? Do jockey switches like Joel Rosario on As Catch Can really make a difference, or is it all about the horse's form? Share your predictions, agreements, or disagreements in the comments—let's debate the drama of the American Oaks!