April Pride takes first stakes in China Doll

ARCADIA, Calif. - April Pride's third start of the meeting gave the 3-year-old filly her first stakes win in Sunday's $78,460 China Doll Stakes at Santa Anita.

Ridden by David Flores, April Pride ($9) closed from fifth with a three-wide move on the turn to win the one-mile turf race for 3-year-old fillies by two lengths in 1:35.40.

Acting Lady finished second, a length in front of Century Park. Saucey Evening, the 3-5 favorite, was last until the final furlong and could only finish fourth. She was the subject of such massive show bets that April Pride paid $7.60 to show, Acting Lady was worth $15.20, and Century Park paid $14.20.

April Pride races for Forging Oaks Farm and trainer Jim Cassidy. Bought last fall while based in England, April Pride finished 11th in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf last October. Earlier at this meeting, she was second in the Blue Norther Stakes in December and in an allowance race on Feb. 4.

A British-bred filly by Falbrav, April Pride has won 2 of 11 starts and $116,927. Cassidy said that April Pride would be pointed for turf stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Hollywood Park this spring.