Deadheat in Miss America Handicap

ALBANY, Calif. - Uninhibited Song ($12.40) and Girl Warrior ($4.80) ended up in a deadheat for the victory in a tight four-way finish in the $100,000 at Golden Gate Fields on Sunday.

Although both fillies were stakes winners, the victory was the first ever on the turf for each. The winning time for the 1 1/8-mile race over the Lakeside Turf Course was 1: 50.67 over a course listed as good.

Both stalked pacesetting Penny Ante and Miss Me, with Uninhibited Song, who broke from the rail, getting a ground-saving trip while Girl Warrior was three wide most of the way.

Girl Warrior got first run, sticking her head in front in the lane, while Uninhibited Song had to wait for an opening behind a wall of four horses into lane. She made a quick move when an opening appeared, and the two battled gamely to the wire.

First Draft was third three-quarters of a length behind the top pair and a nose in front of favored Red Top.

"We got a dream trip," Girl Warrior's rider Russell Baze said. "They told me to lay close because she does not have a big turn of foot. This little filly does not like to let horses get by her."

Uninhibited Song's rider Chad Schvaneveldt said, "I thought Russell's horse beat me half a head. Another jump, and I had all the marbles. When they hung up the dead heat, I thought, "I'll settle for that." I thought Russell got the bob for sure."

Jerry Hollendorfer, trainer of Uninhibited Song, said, "Maybe the added distance helped her. I think she was unlucky to have traffic problems in the lane or she would have won by a length."

Uninhibited Song, who won the Foster City Handicap at Bay Meadows in March, is now 5-for-14 in her career. Her $37,500 winner's share lifted her career totals to $160,046.

Girl Warrior, who won the Grade 2 El Encino in January at Santa Anita, improved to 4-for-10 for trainer Neil Drysdale. She has now earned $185,916 with her $37,500 check.