The $300,000 American Oaks (G1) is set to be a highlight of Sunday’s exciting 11-race opening day card at Santa Anita. This notable race features 11 talented second-year fillies competing over 1 1/4 miles on turf. The entire opening day event, initially planned for Friday, was postponed to Sunday due to forecasted storms in the area.
Trainer Jonathan Thomas will enter three horses, including stakes winners Will Zen and As Catch Can, who recently captured the Old Dominion Oaks at Colonial Downs. Will Zen returned to racing against her age group after taking on older horses in the 1 3/8-mile G3 Red Carpet at Del Mar in late November, where she led most of the race before finishing two lengths ahead of stablemate Mrs Astor. This time, top jockey Flavien Prat will ride Will Zen, with slightly less distance to cover. Will Zen boasts a record of 9 starts with 3 wins and earnings totaling $203,164 for owner-breeder Augustine Stable.
As Catch Can earned his first stakes victory on September 6 in the Old Dominion Oaks, overcoming the field from mid-pack. Starting after a strong third-place finish at Santa Anita in May, As Catch Can narrowly missed winning the 1 1/8-mile G3 Honeymoon by just three-quarters of a length. A Motown offspring from Augustine Stable, he has raced 11 times with 3 wins, 3 losses, 1 draw, and $320,395 in earnings. Joel Rosario will make his first ride on As Catch Can.
Achira comes from Europe aiming for her first Grade 1 win under trainer Richard Baltas. Prior to arriving in the U.S., Achira competed in four consecutive Group 1 races across Europe, with her best finish being third in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown. Spanish Phoenix campaigns Achira alongside Barry Fowler, Medallion Racing, and Pearland Thoroughbreds. She holds a 7-race record with 2 wins and earnings over $107,000, and Santa Anita jockey Tiago Pereira will be aboard.
Trainer Phil D’Amato is hoping for a rebound with Slick, who finished fifth in the favored Grade 3 Autumn Miss turf race in late October. Despite strong betting support, Slick could not keep pace but had shown promise in a prior mile turf race at Santa Anita in September. Owned by Little Red Feather, Sterling Stables, and Marcia Neifai, Slick will be ridden by Umberto Rispoli.
Ribbons, trained by Leonard Powell, is emerging as a strong contender, making her stakes debut. All her wins have come while leading from the front, including a recent allowance victory in a mile turf race at Del Mar. Owned by Sondereker Racing, Ribbons will be ridden by regular jockey Mirco Demuro and is expected to set the pace.
The field and jockeys for the American Oaks are as follows:
– Then (Flavien Prat) – 124 lbs
– Cliff (Jose Ortiz) – 124 lbs
– Which (Antonio Fres) – 124 lbs
– Slick (Umberto Rispoli) – 124 lbs
– Breathe In (Irad Ortiz Jr.) – 124 lbs
– Determination (Diego Herrera) – 124 lbs
– Fully Justified (Juan Hernandez) – 124 lbs
– Be Catchable (Joel Rosario) – 124 lbs
– Achira (Tiago Pereira) – 124 lbs
– Ribbon (Mirco Demuro) – 124 lbs
Fan Take: The American Oaks promises an electrifying showdown among some of the most promising young fillies in turf racing, making it a must-watch for horse racing enthusiasts. This event showcases rising stars that could shape the future of the sport, highlighting the excitement and depth of talent in American turf racing.
