Linda's Gift Dominates Santa Ana for Third Win in a Row
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Photo: Benoit Photo
Rider Tiago Pereira celebrates as Linda's Gift crosses the wire in the Santa Ana Stakes at Santa Anita Park
Linda's Gift continued to thrive going long on the Southern California turf as she scored an easy victory in the $101,500 Santa Ana Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park Feb. 24.
The 5-year-old Arrogate mare raced second through six furlongs in 1:13.06 while under a hold by rider Tiago Pereira. Roused on the far turn, Linda's Gift drew off to win by 3 3/4 lengths. She was under a hold as she finished 1 1/4 miles on firm turf in 2:00.79. She paid $4.60 to win as the favorite.
Linda's Gift has won five of 13 starts and earned $314,936. Racing Hall of Fame member Richard Mandella trains her for the partnership of John Cronin, Anthony DiMarco, Michael A. Mandara, Fred Nicotra, and Vincent Varvaro.
Linda's Gift started her career on the East Coast, where she won one of six starts. Now she has won three stakes in a row, all on the turf and all at 1 1/4 miles or longer.
Her original trainer George Weaver signed the ticket for her for $50,000 at Fasig-Tipton's 2021 Midlantic 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale.
Linda's Gift was bred in Kentucky by Calumet Farm. She is the only registered foal out of the stakes-placed Tapit mare Americana .
Recent European imports completed the trifecta, with Phil D'Amato trainee Queens Command and Mark Glatt's Khinjani in second and third, respectively. Both were making their second United States starts and both earned their first graded stakes placing.