George Strawbridge's Augustin Stables capped a trio of graded wins over the week at Del Mar when Will Then (War of Will) powered to a 2 1/4-length victory in the GIII Jimmy Durante Stakes at the seaside oval Saturday. The filly joined stablemates Mrs. Astor (Lookin at Lucky), who won the Nov. 24 GIII Red Carpet Stakes, and Truly Quality (Quality Road), who won the GII Hollywood Turf Cup Friday. All three homebreds are trained by Jonathan Thomas.
“I really have to give kudos to Mr. Strawbridge and his breeding program,” Thomas said. “They are all three homebreds. It's an incredible thing for a breeder to accomplish, so we're just blessed to train for him.”
Jonathan Thomas | Benoit
Strawbridge purchased Mrs. Astor's dam, Causal (Creative Cause), for $400,000 as a Keeneland September yearling in 2015. The mare made just two starts before heading to the breeding shed and the 4-year-old Mrs. Astor is her first foal.
Truly Quality is a grandson of Strawbridge's turf champion Forever Together (Belong to Me). His dam, Truly Together (Smart Strike), was third in the Augustin colors in the 2018 GIII Endeavor Stakes and she is also the dam of graded winner Mouffy (Uncle Mo).
Will Then's dam Remember Then (Pulpit) was another yearling purchase by Strawbridge, who acquired her for $350,000 at the 2011 Keeneland September sale. Winner of the first three starts of her career in 2012 and 2013, she is also the dam of stakes winner Born Dapper (Union Rags).
Will Then, a maiden winner over the Woodbine turf in October, was making just her third lifetime start when she upset the Jimmy Durante at 10-1.
Of plans for the 2-year-old filly, Thomas said, “We need to look at the stakes schedule. I think there's a race [the $100,000 Blue Norther on Dec. 28] at Santa Anita going a mile. I think it makes complete sense to wheel back in that spot. The timing's good. She's lightly raced. I don't think she's a filly we shut down. She's just getting the hang of it.”
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