Bay Meadows: Lindsay Jean wins again

SAN MATEO, Calif. - Lindsay Jean ($6.60) found herself farther back than usual in the early running of the $83,625 Miss America Handicap at Bay Meadows on Saturday, but she was in a familiar spot at the end of the 1 1/16-mile turf race.

Moving confidently on the second turn, she took the lead from pacesetting Little Treasure and held off Crazy Ensign, Bush Triumph, and Little Treasure late to score her second straight victory.

Lindsay Jean usually sits close in a good stalking spot, but she was fifth early, three lengths behind Little Treasure despite a slow early pace of 24.24 and 48.83.

"The pace was slow, but when they moved away from the gate they were going pretty good," winning rider Chad Schvaneveldt said. "Down the backstretch, she pulled me up to them. She was dragging me, but once I got the lead, I knew she wasn't going to let them by late. She always tries."

Lindsay Jean beat Crazy Ensign by a neck. Bush Triumph was third, another head back and a nose in front of favored Little Treasure, who was making her first start since Oct. 12. The winning time was 1:44.67 on a course listed as good.

"Her coming off the layoff may have been the difference," Little Treasure's rider Russell Baze said. "When I asked her to go, I didn't get the response I needed. She never quit on me, but she didn't have the kick we needed. She'll be double-tough next time."

Winning trainer Art Sherman said that he would probably look for a stakes race at Hollywood Park, Lone Star, or somewhere in the Midwest for Lindsay Jean's next start.

Lindsay Jean, a 5-year-old mare, earned $49,875 for her sixth win in 23 starts. Her career earnings are now $310,910.