No trouble this time as Victorina scores

ARCADIA, Calif. - Victorina failed to overcome trouble in an allowance race at Golden Gate Fields in November, settling for second in a one-mile turf race.

The opposite occurred in Friday's $80,900 Paseana Handicap at Santa Anita. Jockey Rafael Bejarano took a patient approach while guiding Victorina through traffic on the turn, waiting for running room before guiding the 6-year-old mare to a clear path. Victorina ($5) pulled clear in the final furlong to win the Paseana by 2 1/4 lengths for her 13th victory in 24 starts. She ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.92.

You Lift Me Up finished second, three-quarters of a length in front of Island Hop. Double Trouble, the even-money favorite, was never a factor and finished fourth in the field of six.

Trainer Greg Gilchrist considered Friday's race as a prep for the $500,000 Sunshine Millions Distaff for California-breds and Florida-breds here on Jan. 24.

"This was a good stepping-stone to show that she belongs in that," Gilchrist said.

Owned by the estate of Harry Aleo, the well-traveled Victorina has earned $627,455. In the last two years, she has won stakes at Turf Paradise, the Solano County fair in Vallejo, Calif., Emerald Downs, and Golden Gate Fields.