Going Global Conquers China Doll

ARCADIA, CA – Trainer Phil D’Amato’s Irish-bred Going Global followed up her scintillating North American debut score in last month’s Sweet Life Stakes (G3) with a conquering performance to win Saturday’s $100,000 China Doll Stakes at Santa Anita Park.

Going Global was the even-money favorite as she broke from post 5 under Flavien Prat and settled into a mid-pack stalking position while Sweetest Angel dueled inside of Bleu Ballon through opening fractions of :22.97, :46.51, and 1:10.50.

Tipped out wide as she rounded the far turn, Going Global rallied strongly in the stretch under a hand ride, taking the lead near the 1/8 pole before pulling away to win the firm turf mile route by 3/4 of a length in 1:34.32.

“The way she ran last time gave me a lot of confidence coming into this race today,” Prat said. “We were going a route of ground today and I was very happy with the way she was traveling and the way she relaxed. She was very impressive.”

Closing Remarks made a strong late push to take second by 2 1/4 lengths over Quattroelle, the 9/5 second choice. Sweetest Angel, Golden, and Bleu Ballon completed the order of finish.

Absolute Scenes, Ivy League, and Carpe Fortuna scratched from the race restricted to 3-year-old fillies.

Going Global’s win improved her overall record to 6-3-0-0 with $128,792 earned. The Mehmas filly was privately purchased at the end of 2020 by current owners CYBT, Michael Dubb, Saul Gevertz, Michael Nentwig, and Ray Pagano.

“This filly came to us via (bloodstock agent) Niall Dalton, and luckily Michael Nentwig and his group were able to pull the trigger on her,” D’Amato said. “She has done nothing wrong since she has come here. She has trained like a good horse and Flavien fits her to a tee.”

Going Global returned $4 to win, $2.80 to place, and $2.20 to show. Closing Remarks brought back $6.40 to place and $3.20 to show. Quattroelle paid $2.40 to show.