Thomas to prep Mrs. Astor in Santa Ana

Mrs. Astor, the winner of consecutive Grade 3 stakes at Del Mar and Santa Anita in the final months of 2024, will have her 2025 debut in another Grade 3, the $100,000 Santa Ana Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/4 miles on turf at Santa Anita on March 15.

Trainer Jonathan Thomas said on Thursday that the Santa Ana will be a prep race for a start at the Keeneland April meeting for the 4-year-old Mrs. Astor, who is owned by George Strawbridge’s Augustin Stable.

For Strawbridge, Thomas also trains Truly Quality, the winner of three consecutive turf stakes in the final months of 2024. A 5-year-old, Truly Quality will be entered in the Grade 3 San Marcos Stakes at 1 1/4 miles on turf at Santa Anita on Feb. 8, though Thomas said the gelding’s participation may be a late decision.

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“I think we’ll enter the San Marcos and take a look,” Thomas said. “I’m not really looking forward to cutting him back."

In the current winning streak, Truly Quality has won three stakes at longer distances than the San Marcos – the Colonial Cup at Colonial Downs in September and Grade 2 Hollywood Turf Cup at Del Mar in November both at 1 1/2 miles, and the Grade 3 Singspiel Stakes at 1 3/8 miles at Woodbine in October.

Truly Quality is another candidate for stakes at the Keeneland April meeting, Thomas said.

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