Hollendorfer saddles two with promise

ALBANY, Calif. - The 31-day Golden Gate Fields meeting couldn't have gotten off to a better start for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer.

Secret Scheme, his talented 3-year-old filly, won a stakes-quality allowance sprint in the meet's first race. Secret Scheme's effort has Hollendorfer looking at the Jan. 27 Sunshine Millions at Santa Anita and Gulfstream for her next start.

On Friday, Hollendorfer hopes to find a candidate for the Jan. 28 California Derby, sending out Bwana Bull and Regal Times - plus Gregorian Bay - in a one-mile allowance race for 2-year-olds.

"You've gotta be thinking that direction," Hollendorfer said of the California Derby implications of Friday's race. "Either they will go on or they won't."

Bwana Bull, a $140,000 Keeneland yearling purchase in September 2005, has improved his Beyer Speed Figures in each of his five starts. He won his maiden in his first try at a mile. He was second - and Regal Times third - in an allowance race on Nov. 25 at Bay Meadows. He has three works since, one a strong six-furlong drill at Golden Gate Dec. 20.

Regal Times has similar credentials. A $75,000 March Ocala purchase, he graduated in his third start and first try around two turns. He raced wide and gave way a bit late in running third behind Bwana Bull in his last start, which came off a seven-week layoff. He also has worked well since his last start, including a half-mile 48.80 bullet at Golden Gate on Tuesday.

Gregorian Bay won his career debut in an $80,000 six-furlong sprint at Hollywood Park on Nov. 30. He was game, winning by a head while rallying late. His breeding suggests he will be better at routing. He is owned by George Todaro, who is a part-owner of Bwana Bull.

The field also includes Gary John and Templeton, who are both stakes-placed; Everwise, who is coming off a starter allowance victory at the distance; Cherokee Legacy, making his first California start; and Cover Magic.

Hollendorfer hopes that Bwana Bull or Regal Times runs as impressively as Secret Scheme did.

He said that Secret Scheme is nominated to several Sunshine Millions races, but because she has sprinted so well, he is looking the closest at the Filly and Mare Sprint at Gulfstream for her.

Secret Scheme is 3 for 3 sprinting since her debut for a $25,000 claiming tag. She also won the Noe Valley at 1 1/16 miles and ran fourth in the Grade 2 San Clemente at a mile at Del Mar last summer.

o McCann's Mojave ($6) got a perfect trip in winning his second straight start, the $60,400 Union Square at Golden Gate Fields on Tuesday. He sat just off Dr. Einstein, took command going into the second turn, and beat Dr. Einstein by two lengths in a time of 1:42.46 for the 1o1/16 miles on a sloppy track.