Miss Pleasant wins third in row, first stakes

Miss Pleasant ($13) wore down stubborn favorite Victoryasecret near the wire as she scored her third straight victory while winning her stakes debut in the $53,300 Alameda County Fillies and Mares Handicap on Saturday at the Alameda County Fair.

Following trainer Richard Mandella's telephoned instructions, jockey Chad Schvaneveldt let Miss Pleasant run away from the gate before settling behind Victoryasecret, who also was seeking her third straight victory.

Victoryasecret was challenged by Value Stream turning into the backstretch but quickly established herself on the lead. Despite a brisk pace, Schvaneveldt said he was more concerned about Victoryasecret - because speed was holding on the track - than defending champion Christmas Ship, who sat back early before moving up on the backstretch.

"It took her a while to get used to the dirt in her face, but I knew I was loaded at the half-mile pole," Schvaneveldt said of Miss Pleasant. "I thought I had [Victoryasecret] put away a couple times, but she was really digging in. Inside the sixteenth, I knew we'd win."

Miss Pleasant won the 1 1/16-mile race by a half-length in 1:42.40. Christmas Ship was third, another half-length back .

The victory was worth $31,500 for the daughter of Pleasantly Perfect, who was making only her second start since winning her maiden on Feb. 12 at Golden Gate Fields. She has now earned $78,820 for the Diamond A Racing Corporation, with three victories from six starts.