Mandella having great meet at Santa Anita, with possibly more success to come

ARCADIA, Calif. - Trainer Richard Mandella's stable has been the hottest in California stakes races this winter, with chances to add to the success in coming weeks.

In Saturday’s Grade 3 Santa Ana Stakes at Santa Anita, the Mandella-trained Linda’s Gift had an ideal trip as a stalker to win the $101,500 race for fillies and mares at 1 1/4 miles on turf.

Mandella has won seven stakes since the Santa Anita winter-spring meeting began on Dec. 26, one more than Phil D’Amato.

“It’s been good so far," Mandella said of the season.

Linda’s Gift’s victory was the second for the 5-year-old mare this winter, preceded by the Astra Stakes at 1 1/2 miles on turf for fillies and mares on Jan. 21, and her third consecutive stakes win. She has closed from off the pace in her recent wins. Prior to that, Linda’s Gift had won two of her preceding 10 starts.

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“She’s starting to believe in herself, that’s the deal,” Mandella said.

On Saturday, Mandella plans to run Goliad in the Grade 1 Frank Kilroe Mile on turf, Salesman in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap at 1 1/4 miles on the main track, and Ruby Nell in the Grade 2 Buena Vista Stakes at a mile on turf for fillies and mares.

Goliad and Ruby Nell were stakes winners earlier at the meeting.

Ruby Nell finished third in the Grade 3 Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf Invitational on turf at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 27.

In coming weeks, Big City Lights and Yellow Brick are candidates for the Grade 3 San Carlos Stakes at seven furlongs on March 16.

Yellow Brick won a maiden race in his 4-year-old debut on Saturday, running seven furlongs in a quick 1:21.61. He earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 98. Big City Lights won the Grade 3 Palos Verdes Stakes at six furlongs on Feb. 10.

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