Secret Liaison best in Rancho Bernardo

DEL MAR, Calif. - An uncontested lead and a modest pace gave Secret Liaison an unsurmountable advantage in Saturday's $150,000 at Del Mar.

Winning her first graded stakes in the Grade 3 Rancho Bernardo for fillies and mares, Secret Liaison ($9.40) scored by four lengths over Lacie Girl. Trained by Ted H. West for Desperado Stable, Secret Liaison ran 6 1-2 furlongs in 1:15.53.

Expected to face early pressure, Secret Liaison led by a half-length after an opening quarter mile in 22.46 and by a length after a half-mile in 45.03 seconds, moderate fractions for a sprint.

Ridden by Corey Nakatani, Secret Liaison pulled clear in early stretch.

There was substantial late money for Secret Liaison. She was 9-2 when the gates opened and 7-2 in the final odds.

Lacie Girl, who was seeking her third consecutive stakes win, finished a length in front of 8-1 Spring Meadow. Cee's Elegance, the 2-1 favorite, finished fourth, while top contender Madame Pietra finished sixth in the field of eighth.