Sunday Rules remains undefeated, points to Spring Fever

ARCADIA, Calif. – Sunday Rules will start in the $150,000 Spring Fever Stakes for California-bred fillies and mares May 23 after extending her unbeaten streak to four races in an optional claimer Thursday.

Ridden by Tyler Baze, Sunday Rules ($2.80) led throughout the 6 1/2-furlong race to win by 2 1/2 lengths over Wasted at Midnight in 1:15.24. Scherzinger, winner of the Grade 2 Santa Monica Stakes in 2014, finished third in her first start of the year.

Sunday Rules earned a career-best 90 Beyer Speed Figure.

Owned by breeder Nick Alexander, Sunday Rules won twice at 2 in 2013, including the Generous Portion Stakes for California-bred fillies at Del Mar. She won her only start last year, an optional claimer here in June.

“She trained like a more mature filly,” trainer Phil D’Amato said. “I thought I’d see a more composed performance, and I got that.”

D’Amato said Sunday Rules was plagued by illness and injury in 2014.

“I had her ready at Del Mar, and she got sick,” he said. “I was going to run her again at Del Mar, and she had a soft-tissue injury. It was minor at the time.”

Sunday Rules was trained by Mike Mitchell at 2. D’Amato, a longtime assistant, took over the stable in 2014 when Mitchell retired for health reasons. Mitchell died in April of complications of a brain tumor.

“Mike always loved this filly,” D’Amato said Thursday.

The Spring Fever Stakes is one of five six-figure stakes for California-breds May 23.