Will Sen narrowly missed victory by just three-quarters of a length, finishing third in the Grade 1 American Oaks during the opening day of the Santa Anita Classic on December 28. This Saturday, the four-year-old War of Will filly, trained by Jonathan Thomas, is stepping down in class to compete in the Grade 3 Megahertz Stakes—a $100,000 turf race over one mile.
In the American Oaks, Will Sen led the majority of the 1 1/4-mile race but was edged out by her stablemate Ambaya and runner-up Cliffs. A homebred from George Strawbridge’s Augustine Stable, she is chasing her second significant win after triumphing in the Grade 3 Jimmy Durante Stakes as a younger horse. Will Sen has raced 10 times, earning 3 wins with 0 losses and total prize money of $239,164. Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith will be riding her for the first time in this event.
Returning to the track under trainer Phil D’Amato is Public Assembly, who finished fifth as the favorite in the Grade 3 Robert J. Frankel Stakes (1 1/8 miles) on January 8. This 5-year-old filly, sired by More Than Ready and owned by Abbondanza Racing, McNulty Thoroughbreds, and Medallion Racing, boasts a record of 12 starts with 3 wins and 3 second-place finishes, amassing $308,166 in earnings. Hector Berrios will pilot her this Saturday.
Trainer Doug O’Neill’s Princess Moche galloped nearly six furlongs on January 11 on a hillside turf course during the Grade 3 Las Cienegas Stakes, finishing just half a length behind California’s top turf filly Queen Maxima. The 6-year-old Peruvian import owns 11 wins, 4 losses, and 5 thirds from 38 races, with total earnings of $114,416. She represents Rancho San Roberto and will again be ridden by Mirco DeMuro.
A new addition to the lineup is Cynomore, trained by Phil D’Amato, racing locally for the first time under new owner R. Unicorn Stables. The 4-year-old colt by Star Spangled Banner, previously trained by Brendan Walsh on the East Coast, captured last year’s Boiling Springs Stakes at Monmouth Park over 1 1/16 miles on turf. After a break following a fourth-place finish in the September Christiana Stakes at Delaware Park, Cynomore aims to secure his first major stakes win here. Kazushi Kimura is set to ride him for his debut at this track.
Below are the participants for the Grade 3 Megahertz Stakes, listed by post position along with their jockeys and assigned weights:
- My Perfect Waves — Emisael Jaramillo — 120 lbs
- Public Assembly — Hector Berrios — 124 lbs
- Princess Moche — Mirco DeMuro — 120 lbs
- Will Sen — Mike Smith — 124 lbs
- Good Luck — Ricky Gonzalez — 120 lbs
- Violeta M — Victor Espinoza — 124 lbs
- Vives — Juan Hernandez — 122 lbs
- Cynomore — Kazushi Kimura — 124 lbs
- Baltic Fire — Caesar Belmont — 120 lbs
The race, the seventh of nine on the card, is expected to start around 3:30 PM PT.
This report was originally published by Paulick Report on January 26, 2026.
Fan Take: Horse racing enthusiasts should keep an eye on Will Sen’s move to a shorter turf distance and a drop in class, which could signal a breakout performance soon. This race also highlights exciting emerging talent like Cynomore making their local debuts, underscoring how fresh challengers continually invigorate the sport.
