Jasmine Torrez

Sent off as the public choice, Mrs. Astor returned to safeguard her crown in the Red Carpet Stakes (Grade 3), a $100,000 turf-course test at 1 3/8 miles, essentially a long-route assignment for stamina types.

As Will Then, her stablemate, doled out the tempo, the 8-5 favorite Mrs. Astor was ridden quietly by Umberto Rispoli while pinned to the rail in sixth, with Juan Hernandez and Paradise Lake (3-1) shadowing two lengths nearer the leaders to the outside. On the far turn the second time around, Will Then’s margin shrank to a half-length when Public Assembly (4-1) under Antonio Fresu slipped through inside; responding to that move, Mrs. Astor drafted behind Public Assembly, burst through a narrow alley between foes, and—with a gritty late dash—captured the Red Carpet by a neck, a finish that had a photo-finish feel. Another one and one-half lengths back came Paradise Lake, who swung four wide past the eighth pole and, by a neck, held off D’Amato’s Sun Of Hill for the show.

Rispoli said that, approaching the bend, Public Assembly with Antonio Fresu looked the one to target, so he waited and pleaded for daylight; once Antonio left a sliver and Will Then began to fade, he shot the gap and she exploded, adding that Jonathan had the filly tuned perfectly.

After taking the Red Carpet Stakes in 2024, Mrs. Astor now counts three graded triumphs among five wins overall.

Trainer Jonathan Thomas explained that a ground-saving rail trip was anticipated and that they simply hoped she could work herself loose; when the tiny seam appeared, the plan clicked—an uncommon bit of fortune—and he noted her honesty and that she shows up regardless of what we run her on.

A homebred for George Strawbridge’s Augustin Stables, the 5-year-old mare Mrs. Astor shows a career line of 21: 7-5-4 with earnings of $567,235. For bettors, the mutuels came back at $5.40 to win, $3.80 to place, and $2.60 to show.

Public Assembly, trained by Phil D’Amato, returned $4.00 and $2.80, while Paradise Lake, from Peter Eurton, paid $3.00.

The clocked splits were 24.95, 49.89, 1:15.77, 1:41.58, and 2:06.79, with the final time stopping at 2:18.86.

Live horse racing resumes Monday with a nine-race program; first post is 12:30 p.m., useful info for handicapping fans planning a visit.

Race replay video

More from the connections

UMBERTO RISPOLI (Mrs. Astor – Winner) – “She came away fine from the gate, and with her, when the pace crawls you can’t force her up there; last time we tried to sit close into a slow tempo and she lost her kick. Jonathan and I agreed today to be about three back if they crawled, even knowing we might get bottled up; he told me to take the risk that felt right. At the turn I identified Public Assembly with Antonio as the danger, and I begged for a hole; when Antonio opened the door and I sensed Will Then tiring, I sent her through and she turned on the jets. Jonathan had her prepared exactly for that scenario.”

JONATHAN THOMAS (Mrs. Astor, Winner) – “We expected to hug the fence and bank the ground savings, then just hope she could extricate herself; there was plenty of horse, and when the slight opening appeared it unfolded just as drawn up—which doesn’t happen often. She’s utterly genuine and delivers no matter what we run her on.”