Trainer Thomas loving California after great week

Trainer Jonathan Thomas had the best week of his career in California in late November, winning three graded stakes on turf at Del Mar.

The victories are a prelude for his second full-time winter in California in coming months at Santa Anita.

Last winter, Thomas won two races from 22 runners at Santa Anita, but did not win a stakes. Expectations are much higher this time.

In the closing weekends of the Del Mar meeting, Thomas, 38, won the Grade 3 Red Carpet Stakes for fillies and mares with Mrs. Astor on Nov. 24, the Grade 2 Hollywood Turf Cup with Truly Quality on Friday, and Saturday’s Grade 3 Jimmy Durante Stakes for 2-year-old fillies with Will Then.

All three are owned by George Strawbridge Jr.’s Augustin Stable and were ridden by Vincent Cheminaud.

Truly Quality won his third consecutive stakes in the Turf Cup, preceded by victories in the Colonial Cup at 1 1/2 miles in Virginia on Sept. 7 and the Grade 3 Singspiel Stakes at 1 3/8 miles on turf at Woodbine on Oct. 5.

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Thomas described Truly Quality as “a bit of a fighter” after his win in the Gold Cup, in which he was passed in the stretch by Balnikhov and caught that rival late to win by a neck.

Truly Quality is so well regarded that he is considered a long-range prospect for Grade 1 races in 2025, including the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar next November. Truly Quality must continue to improve to be a contender for that international race.

“We want to participate in those kind of races,” Thomas said.

For now, vacation beckons for Truly Quality.

“I think if we’re going to give him a mini-break and let him catch his breath this is time to do it,” Thomas said.

Mrs. Astor and Will Then are candidates for stakes at Santa Anita in late December, Thomas said. The track’s winter-spring meeting begins on Dec. 26.

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