Will Then Heads to Megahertz Stakes With Mike Smith, Facing D'Amato Duo

Will Then will step back to one mile on the lawn in the Grade 3 Megahertz Stakes at Santa Anita after a close third in the Grade 1 American Oaks on Dec. 28, a move that shifts the filly from top-level company into a spot where tactical speed and class relief figure to matter. Trainer Jonathan Thomas has tapped Hall of Famer Mike Smith to ride, a booking that underscored the connections' confidence in a race that should favor a mile specialist.

The numbers on Will Then are concrete: a career line of 10:3-0-2 and $239,164 in earnings. That form shows consistency at stakes level without a large string of wins, which makes the cutback to a one-mile turf dash both logical and strategic. Dropping from Grade 1 company to Grade 3 company gives Will Then a chance to capitalize on class relief, and Smith's presence suggests a tactical plan that could put her in the right spot turning for home.

Phil D'Amato will send a two-pronged attack into the Megahertz. Public Assembly will carry Hector Berrios, while Sigh No More will make a local debut for D'Amato with Kazushi Kimura named to ride. D'Amato's entries complicate race dynamics; two differing running styles and jockey assignments can force rivals to adjust to multiple pace scenarios, particularly in a compact one-mile field.

Tactically, one mile on Santa Anita turf typically rewards horses with positional speed and the ability to pick up momentum at the top of the lane. Will Then's recent toughness in the Grade 1 American Oaks indicates she can handle pressure, and cutting back in distance may enhance her turn of foot against a field that includes experienced turf campaigners. Public Assembly and Sigh No More bring their own puzzles; Berrios and Kimura are capable pilots who can press for position or sit and pounce, so the early fractions will be decisive.

From a business and betting perspective, the presence of a Hall of Famer like Mike Smith elevates the race profile and draws attention from wagering pools beyond the usual graded-stakes bettors. For Santa Anita, a competitive Megahertz with marquee riders and a high-profile D'Amato stable entry helps sustain interest in the winter turf program and keeps purses meaningful for turf fillies and mares.

What comes next will depend on pace and trip. If Will Then secures a good tracking position and Smith times the late move, she projects as a logical favorite to capitalize on class relief. For bettors and fans, the Megahertz offers a compact test of speed, placement, and execution that could reset Will Then's path for the spring stakes calendar.