Secret Scheme uncatchable in Noe Valley

ALBANY, Calif. - Secret Scheme ($4.60) set a brisk but unpressured pace as she easily scored a three-length victory over odds-on Victorina in the $51,125 Noe Valley for 3-year-old fillies on Saturday at Golden Gate Fields.

Third-place Logan Avenue Linda was 14 lengths behind Victorina in the 1 1/16-mile race. Secret Scheme's winning time was 1:41.82. Spellbinder, winner of the Grade 3 Berkeley on Labor Day, ran the same distance in 1:43.07.

"It was like the race at Bay Meadows (a 16-length victory on June 18)," said Janet Hollendorfer, who saddled the horse for her husband, Jerry, who was in Kentucky at the Keeneland sale.

"She's got natural speed, which is nice to have."

Hollendorfer, who watched the race in Kentucky, said he was confident going into the race.

"I felt good. We had speed, and speed was holding today," he said.

Winning rider Chad Schvaneveldt said the filly was getting out on the first turn, but added, "Once I got her straightened out, I knew she was gone. She felt strong under me the whole way."

Russell Baze said the 7-to-10 Victorina had no excuses.

Secret Scheme, owned by Hollendorfer and Dr. George Todaro, earned $27,500 for her first stakes victory. She has won five of eight starts, while earning $97,425.