WAR OF WILL’s Will Then started 2025 exactly how she ended 2024 – with a stakes victory. Making her first start since winning the Jimmy Durante S. (G3) last term, she scored in Sunday’s Listed China Doll S. at Santa Anita.
The Augustin Stables homebred let the leader build a two length lead early in the one-mile turf race as she sat in second throughout the running. The filly secured a rail spot early and wasn’t keen to give that up until the stretch when Umberto Rispoli moved her out to get a clear shot at the leader.
Will Then quickly confronted the leader before taking command inside the final furlong and pulled away to a 1 ½ length victory.
Going off as the race favorite, it was the third win in four starts for the Jonathan Thomas trainee, who now has wins at Woodbine, Del Mar, and Santa Anita.
Will Then is one of two stakes winners out of three-time winner Remember Then, who has produced five winners from five to race. Remember Then is a daughter of Grade 2 winner Owsley, who produced three stakes performers herself, including stakes winner Senada and Grade 1-placed Arthur’s Tale.
WAR OF WILL is the sire of seven stakes performers from his first crop with the group also including stakes placer and Grade 2 fourth She’s Got Will.