Miss Linda and Forest Secrets, the top two betting choices in Friday's $100,000 Sabin Handicap (gr. III), finished one-two in the race for fillies and mares at Gulfstream Park. Miss Linda was sent off as a slight favorite at the windows, but the Argentine-bred was clearly the best on the track, expanding her lead in the stretch en route to a 4 1/4-length victory in the 1 1/16-mile race. Miss Linda, in her first race this year and ridden by Richard Migliore, was timed in 1:42.61 on the fast track and paid $6.20, $3.40, and $3.20. Forest Secrets paid $3.60 and $3.00, and third-place Tap Dance paid $5.20 to show.Search Party came home fourth, followed by Sound of the West, Coolbythepool, Gulch Legacy, Happily Unbridled, De Bertie, Castlebrook, Extend, and Sara's Success.
Miss Linda won two group I stakes races in Argentina, where she was named champion 3-year-old filly of 2001. In the United States last year, the daughter of Southern Halo -- Miss Peggy won the Overbrook Spinster (gr. I) and a listed stakes race before finishing sixth in the Breeders' Cup Distaff (gr. I) and fourth in the Falls City Handicap (gr. III). She earned $60,000 for the Sabin win, her eighth in 14 starts.Miss Linda was owned and trained by Roberto M. Bullrich throughout her South American racing career. She now races in the colors of Ackerley Brothers Farm and is trained by John Kimmel. Miss Linda was bred by La Quebrada. (Chart, Equibase)
Miss Linda wins the Sabin Handicap.
