Santa Anita: Diversy Harbor finishes fast in China Doll Stakes to remain undefeated

ARCADIA, Calif. - Diversy Harbor remained unbeaten after two starts with a brilliant stretch run to reach the front in the final strides of Saturday’s $80,900 China Doll Stakes at Santa Anita.

The style of the win left jockey Gary Stevens grateful that he worked Diversy Harbor in late February, weeks after he rode her to victory in her debut on the hillside turf course Jan. 26.

“I’m glad I got a chance to work her the other day,” Stevens said. “She was real green the last time she ran. Sometimes they don’t come back and run as well.

“The [first] race really helped her. She went the other way. She acted like she’d run 20 times.”

Diversy Harbor ($7.20) outfinished Nashoba’s Gold to win the China Doll over a mile on turf by a half-length, finishing in a quick 1:34.36. Stevens had Diversy Harbor in 10th place on the backstretch, and urged his mount forward on the final turn.

Diversy Harbor was ninth, trailing leader On the Backstreets by 3 3/4 lengths, with a furlong remaining. Nashoba’s Gold, a half-sister to the millionaire stakes winner Nashoba’s Key, closed with a wide run to finish a clear second, a length in front of Tiz Kissable.

On the Backstreets, the winner of the Sweet Life Stakes on the hillside turf course on Feb. 15, finished fourth, followed by Sheza Smoke Show, Sushi Empire, Savings Account, Soresca, Anniversary Kitty, Loan Savant, Screen Goddess, Full Ransom, and Uzziel.

Diversy Harbor, by Curlin, is trained by Tom Proctor for Glen Hill Farm. Proctor was in Florida on Saturday, but his assistant trainer, Aimee Dollase, said the stable has noticed development in Diversy Harbor in recent weeks.

”She’s got a lot of talent,” Dollase said. “It’s a matter of her maturing. She’s trained well since her last race, but she’s still a little green.”