Doinghardtimeagain rebounds in Lady M Stakes

CYPRESS, Calif. - After a trouble-marred comeback last month, Doinghardtimeagain’s season began in earnest on Saturday with a victory in the $200,500 Great Lady M. Stakes at Los Alamitos.

Ridden by Mike Smith, Doinghardtimeagain ($9.80) caught pacesetter Amaranth in the final furlong to win the Grade 2 race over 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:15.59.

The win made Doinghardtimeagain’s last-place finish in a field of five in the Desert Stormer Stakes at Santa Anita on June 15 easier to forget for owners Tom and Debbie Stull and trainer Jerry Hollendorfer. Doinghardtimeagain was carried wide by a rival on the turn of that six-furlong race and faded from contention in the stretch.

Saturday, Doinghardtimeagain was well-placed under Smith, stalking Amaranth, who set an early pace of 22.79 and 45.01 seconds.

“Mike rode her perfect,” Hollendorfer said.

Sagebrush Queen, the winner of the Desert Stormer, closed from fifth to finish third, followed by Clearly Confused, Heir Kitty, Concave, and Tres Belle.

Doinghardtimeagain, a 4-year-old California-bred filly by Ministers Wild Cat, was bred by the Stull’s Tommy Town Thoroughbreds.

Doinghardtimeagain has won five stakes. The Great Lady M. Stakes was Doinghardtimeagain’s second win in a Grade 2 race. She won the Grade 2 Hollywood Oaks in June 2013, and has won three stakes for California-breds since December 2012.

Doinghardtimeagain was ninth in the Grade 1 Del Mar Oaks last summer, and was rested after that race until the Desert Stormer. Hollendorfer said the Desert Stormer was shorter than Doinghardtimeagain’s ideal distance.

“I didn’t have her as ready as I wanted last time,” Hollendorfer said. “She doesn’t want to run six furlongs.”

Doinghardtimeagain has won 6 of 13 starts and $708,766. Hollendorfer said the filly is capable of racing in sprints and mile races on turf, leaving numerous options for the upcoming Del Mar meeting.

“She can do anything,” Hollendorfer said. “It’s nice to have a horse like that.”