Speedy Linda’s Gift Takes Marathon $100,000 Astra Stakes

SPEEDY LINDA’S GIFT TAKES MARATHON $100,000 ASTRA STAKES AS MANDELLA & PEREIRA TEAM AT MILE AND ONE HALF ON TURF

ARCADIA, CA (Jan. 21, 2024)—Fully committed to making the lead in the short run down Santa Anita’s hillside turf, Richard Mandella’s Linda’s Gift led the entire trip in Sunday’s marathon $100,000 Astra Stakes, getting a mile and one half in 2:28.49 under Tiago Pereira while holding Musical Rhapsody safe by 1 ½ lengths.

Breaking from post position six in a field of seven older fillies and mares, Linda’s Gift was hustled to the lead and although a bit keen early, settled nicely as the field crossed under the wire for the first time.  In command by a length and one half over French-bred Leisurewear three furlongs out, she shook clear at the furlong pole and waltzed home in a dominant performance. 

A similar gate to wire winner under Pereira going a mile and three eighths on turf in Del Mar’s Grade III Red Carpet Stakes Nov. 23, Linda’s Gift was the 8-5 post time favorite today and returned $5.00, $3.00 and $2.20.

A 5-year-old mare by Arrogate out of the Tapit mare Americana, Linda’s Gift is owned by John Cronin, Anthony DiMarco, Michael Mandara, Fred Nicotra and Vincent Varvaro.

In notching her second career stakes win, Linda’s Gift, who now has three wins and a second from six starts with Mandella, is 12-4-2-2 overall.  With today’s winner’s share of $60,000, she increased her earnings to $254,936.

Irish-bred Musical Rhapsody got a perfect stalking trip under Mike Smith as she saved ground to the top of the lane, put in a solid bid three-deep but never threatened the winner.

Off at 5-1, she paid $4.60 and $2.80.

Last year’s winner, Irish-bred Duvet Day, lodged a mild bid from off the pace but ended up third, 2 ½ lengths behind Musical Rhapsody. 

Ridden by Kazushi Kimura, Duvet Day was off at 3-1 and paid $3.00 to show.

Fractions on the race were 23.52, 47.05, 1:13.30, 1:38.18 and 2:03.87.

Live racing resumes at Santa Anita on Friday, with first post time for an eight-race card at 12:30 p.m.