Linda's Gift takes early lead all the way in Astra Stakes

ARCADIA, Calif. - Linda’s Gift’s position as a stalker in Sunday’s $101,000 Astra Stakes at Santa Anita was brief.

Shortly after the start of the turf race for fillies and mares at 1 1/2 miles, Linda’s Gift was taken to the front by jockey Tiago Pereira, the same tactic that led to a win in the Grade 3 Red Carpet Stakes at 1 3/8 miles at Del Mar in November.

Once on the lead in the Astra, Linda’s Gift was impossible to beat. Leading by as much as two lengths in the first mile, Linda’s Gift maintained an advantage to win by 1 1/2 lengths over 5-1 Musical Rhapsody.

“She pulled a little,” Pereira said. “After that she was more comfortable.

“No one put the pressure on her. It was a good pace. She relaxed really well.”

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Sent off favored in a field of seven, Linda’s Gift ($5) was timed in 2:28.49 on a track rated good after brief periods of rain over the weekend. Linda’s Gift earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 91.

Linda’s Gift set a decent early pace for the distance of 23.52 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 47.05 for a half-mile.

Musical Rhapsody, second in the Red Carpet, finished 2 1/2 lengths clear of 3-1 Duvet Day, who won the 2023 Astra Stakes. Sunday’s race was Duvet Day’s first start since June.

Lakota Spirit finished fourth, followed by Leisurewear, Rose Barton and Yarborough.

Linda’s Gift, by Arrogate, has won 4 of 12 starts and earned $254,936. She began her career with trainer George Weaver before joining current trainer Richard Mandella’s stable in late 2022.

Linda’s Gift races for the partnership of John Cronin, Anthony DiMarco, Michael Mandara, Fred Nicotra and Vincent Varvaro.

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