Double D Appeal wins Nursery Stakes

INGLEWOOD, Calif. - Double D Appeal overcame a poor start to score a surprise win in Sunday's $83,850 Nursery Stakes at Hollywood Park.

Double D Appeal was the 9-2 third choice in the betting, but seemed to be eliminated after she soundly bumped with Continental Caller and Lyndee's Pearl shortly after the start. But through the final half-mile, Double D Appeal steadily closed ground. She caught favored Bella Banissa in the final sixteenth and won by 1 1/2 lengths.

Ridden by Victor Espinoza, Double D Appeal ($11.40) finished five furlongs in 58.06 seconds.

"That was scary there leaving the gate," trainer Jeff Bonde said. "Many horses that have that kind of start just quit. She showed a lot of grit and quality.

"We thought she had a big chance going in but we didn't think we'd be where we were early. I was amazed that the horse got up."

Bella Banissa, a first-time starter, rallied from third to lead in early stretch. She finished 2 1-2 lengths in front of Kelly's Princess, who set an early pace of 21.61 and 45.16 seconds.

Double D Appeal races for a partnership. The Nursery was her first start around a turn. She beat maidens in her second start over two-furlong race at Santa Anita on April 7.