Controlled Resumes Dominance

Controlled, beaten in her last start, returned to the winner’s circle Thursday with a four-length victory in the $150,000 California Breeders’ Championship Stakes.

Ridden by Gary Stevens and carrying high weight of 123 pounds, Controlled ran seven furlongs in 1:22 4-5 in besting seven other 2-year-old fillies.

Proud Janie finished second, with Mind For Gold another half-length back in third.

The odds-on favorite, Controlled paid $3.60, $2.80 and $2.40. Proud Janie, ridden by Eddie Delahoussaye and carrying 116 was $7.20 and $4.40. The show payoff on Mind For Gold, Laffit Pincay Jr. and 117, was $2.80.

Stevens kept Controlled just off the pace most of the way, then the daughter of In Excess began pulling away in the final turn. Proud Janie closed to take second, but did not threaten the winner.

The field was reduced to eight when Capote’s Caper was scratched earlier in the day.

The win was the fourth in five starts for Controlled. She finished fourth in the Cal Cup Juvenile Fillies at 1 1/16 miles her last time out, but remains unbeaten in sprints.

The $90,000 winner’s purse ran Controlled’s career earnings to $247,800.