How to bet the 2024 China Doll Stakes

A small but talented group of six three-year-old fillies will vie in the $100,000 China Doll S. at Santa Anita on Sunday. The grassy tilt at one mile is topped by the impressive #5 Medoro who is unbeaten from two career outings to date, including a game victory in the Blue Norther S. in her latest appearance. Trained by Peter Eurton, the daughter of Honor Code put in a spirited late run to graduate on debut at Del Mar going short, and she displayed a similar turn of foot in her juvenile finale on this surface, as well.

The pair of speed runners in the field, both drawn to her inside, have question marks going the distance, which will aid the multiple late runners in the affair. For my exotics wagers, I will tab Medoro on top of the late-running trio.

China Doll Stakes Wagers

• $20 trifecta: 5 with 6 with 2,4 ($40)
• $10 trifecta: 5 with 2,4 with 6 ($20)

Jimmy Durante S. (G3) heroine #6 Zona Verde might be the most dependable exotics contender in the field behind the top pick. Trained by Phil D’Amato, the gray ran on well in the stretch to be a clear second in the Sweet Life S. going down the hill in her latest venture, and the move back to one mile will not be an issue for the import. She has versatility in her running style and could be tracking in third to the top of the lane beneath Juan Hernandez.

Sweet Life queen #4 Antifona made good in her third run on U.S. turf for John Sadler. The Recoletos filly is fairly one-dimensional as a deep closer, but her turn of foot is substantial and she is an obvious top-three contender with clear sailing and a well-timed ride from Hector Berrios. 

#2 Mo Fox Givin has little early foot, but she is another who can make up ground in a hurry in the lane on her best day. The Leonard Powell charge crushed an overmatched allowance group in her latest effort and will also have Flavien Prat in the silks. A top-three finish from the daughter of Mo Town is well within her reach.