Shoemaker Rides Lovlier Linda to Santa Anita Win

Lovlier Linda wore down Dont-stop Themusic in the final yards Wednesday and narrowly won the $84,900 Santa Monica Handicap at Santa Anita.

Ridden by Bill Shoemaker, Lovlier Linda finished a nose in front of Dontstop Themusic, ridden by Eddie Delahoussaye. Foggy Nation, ridden by Laffit Pincay, finished third, a neck farther back, with Holiday Dancer only a nose behind her in fourth.

Lovlier Linda earned $48,900 for the victory in the race for older fillies and mares. The 5-year-old mare was clocked in 1:22 4/5 for seven furlongs over a fast track.

Sent off the 11-10 favorite, Lovlier Linda paid $4.20, $2.40 and $2.10. Dontstop Themusic returned $2.60 and $2.10, and Foggy Nation paid $2.10 to show.

Carrying co-high weight of 123 pounds, Lovlier Linda fell back to last after the start and rallied four-wide into the stretch, and sustained that bid until getting the lead just before the finish line.

It was Shoemaker’s 914th career stakes victory and the 8,433rd overall.