American Oaks brings down Grade 1 curtain for 2025

The last Grade 1 of 2025, Sunday's $300,000 American Oaks (G1) at Santa Anita, admittedly doesn't look like much of one. What it lacks in star power, though, it makes up as a seemingly competitive betting race.

The 5-2 morning line favorite, Atsila, invades from Europe never having never run beyond one mile, a potential problem in the 1 1/4-mile American Oaks. On the flip side, Atsila has been facing more legitimate top-level fillies and mares, though she herself placed in only one of her five attempts in Group 1 company overseas.

There is little comparable form among the domestic contingent. Totally Justified has shown occasional flashes against good fillies during her career, one example being a half-length loss to Fionn in the May 31 Regret (G3). But her form has been undistinguished of late.

Trainer Jonathan Thomas has the numbers in the American Oaks, entering three fillies owned by George Strawbridge. Will Then is a two-time stakes winner on the circuit, but is unplaced in three of four turf starts since winning the China Doll S. back in March. As Catch Can's lone stakes score, in the Old Dominion Oaks at Colonial Downs in early September, occurred in soft conditions.

Perhaps of more interest for the connections is the lightly raced Ambaya. Although still eligible for a first-level allowance, Ambaya is stakes-placed and was unlucky not to pass that first allowance condition when a rough-trip fourth at Del Mar last month.

Allowance winners Cliffs, Slick, and Ribbons don't look out of place in this turf affair, despite the nominal class rise.

Seven three-year-old males will line up in the $200,000 Mathis Brothers Mile (G2). Tempus Volat and Friendly Confines ran one-two in the restricted Let It Ride S. two back, but were outclassed in their subsequent appearance in the Hollywood Derby (G1).

Also up the track in the Hollywood Derby was Maaz, though the gelding was a more appealing second in the Twilight Derby (G2) in his prior start. Less exposed is the German-bred Namaron, third in the Gun Runner S. at Kentucky Downs and Twilight Derby in his two U.S. appearances to date.

A field of 11 older horses are entered in the $100,000 San Gabriel (G3) over nine furlongs on the grass. Stay Hot is a lukewarm 4-1 favorite on the morning line to earn his first graded win, and has finished worse than second only once in seven tries on the local lawn.

Cabo Spirit has the speed to shake loose, and is better than what he showed in the Seabiscuit H. (G2) last time. Astronomer, the Seabiscuit runner-up, is win shy but can make the frame again.