Spirit of Xian, Sheer Pleasure set for spring campaigns

ARCADIA, Calif. – The Saturday stakes winners Sheer Pleasure and Spirit of Xian will have local campaigns later this spring.

Sheer Pleasure scored an 8-1 upset in the $201,000 Evening Jewel Stakes for California-bred 3-year-old fillies at 6 1/2 furlongs, closing from 11th of 12 to win by three-quarters of a length.

Sheer Pleasure was fourth in the California Cup Oaks on turf in January but unseated jockey Martin Garcia at the start of an optional claimer for California-breds March 6. The setback did not deter trainer Phil D’Amato from taking a chance in the Evening Jewel Stakes.

“I definitely thought she deserved a chance in there,” D’Amato said.

Owned by Little Red Feather Racing and R-M Racing, Sheer Pleasure will be pointed for the $200,000 Fleet Treat Stakes for California-bred 3-year-old fillies at seven furlongs at Del Mar in late July. There are two possible $200,000 races at 1 1/16 miles for Sheer Pleasure at the Santa Anita spring-summer meeting in coming months – the Melair Stakes for California-bred fillies May 23 or the Grade 2 Summertime Oaks on June 20.

“She trains like she wants to go on,” D’Amato said.

Spirit of Xian impressed trainer Richard Mandella when she won the $151,750 Providencia Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at 1 1/8 miles on turf by leading throughout. He was concerned she would struggle at the distance.

“I was surprised that she went that far,” he said. “I wasn’t sure about the last quarter.”

Spirit of Xian, imported from England over the winter, was third in the Sweet Life Stakes on the hillside turf course in her California debut Feb. 14. Owned by Ben Keswick, Spirit of Xian missed a start in the China Doll Stakes on March 7 after becoming upset in the gate.

Spirit of Xian is likely to start in the $200,000 Honeymoon Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on turf for 3-year-old fillies May 3.