Rancho Bernardo Handicap 2013 at Del Mar

Dave Bond | OTB Writer

Las Vegas, NV - Del Mar race track in Del Mar, California will play host to the Grade 3 Rancho Bernardo Handicap this Sunday, August 18. Fillies and mares three years old and upward will take to Del Mar's All Weather track and dash 6 1/2 furlongs searching for the winner's portion of the $150,000 purse.

A small field of just five will line up in the Rancho Bernardo - race 4 on Del Mar's Sunday card. Post time is 3:40 PM. Let's take a look into the past performances of all five combatants for this Grade 3 stakes.

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2013 Rancho Bernardo Handicap Race Favorites

Reneesgotzip - had nine starts last year with four wins and three second place finishes and a third - the most impressive result being a 7 3/4 length win at the Grade 2 Santa Ynez Stakes last January. Since that time Reneesgotzip has finished in the money eight more times. She finished 2012 with a second in the Grade 1 La Brea Stakes behind Book Review in December after a win in the minor Skillful Joy Stakes December 1, a decent third in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint against males and a disappointing seventh in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Sprint. She has only one start in 2013, her first in eight months, and it was a good one - an Allowance score over Executiveprivilege at on this track July 18. Reneesgotzip is a contender every time she enters a race, is 2-for-2 on Del Mar polytrack and will be looking for a statement this week. Garrett Gomez will be in the saddle as she breaks from the rail with the top weight of 120 pounds.

Sweet Marini - Bob Baffert trained filly has just five career starts with three wins and a second place finish. She enters the Rancho Bernardo on a two race win streak - the minor Fleet Treat Stakes last time out by 4 3/4 lengths on this track July 27 and an Allowance May 26 at Hollywood Park. Sunday marks Sweet Marini's graded stakes debut but she looks ready for her step up in competition.

Rancho Bernardo Handicap 2013 | Remaining Field Entries

Winding Way - Carla Gaines trained filly won her first three career starts including the 2012 edition of this race but has failed to place in three starts since - a fourth in the minor L.A. Woman Stakes followed an eight month layoff. She returned June 16 to a fifth in the minor Desert Stormer Handicap on this track and followed that with another fifth last time out in the Grade 2 A Gleam Handicap July 13.

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Sugarinthemorning - had six starts in 2012 with four second place finishes including in this race last year, the Grade 2 A Gleam and the Fran's Valentine Stakes in May.. She started this year with a good second in the Grade 2 Santa Monica Stakes and followed it with a pair of fourths - the Grade 3 Las Flores and the minor B. Thoughtful Stakes. She has since started two straight minor stakes races and placed in both - a third last time out in the Redondo Beach Stakes and a second May 18 in the Fran's Valentine Stakes. She rides a 14 race losing streak into the weekend dating back to the 2011 Fleet Treat Stakes but hopes to snap that ugly streak Sunday.

Curvy Cat - placed in her first 13 career starts for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer but has yet to race in graded stakes company. Minor stakes results include a third in the Skillful Joy Stakes December 1 at Hollywood Park and a win in the Irish O'Brien Stakes at Santa Anita in March. Last time out was a fourth in an Allowance on this track behind Reneezgotzip July 18 after a fourth in the Great Lady M. Stakes at Hollywood Park in May. She has seven wins, four seconds and four third place finishes in 17 career starts but Sunday marks a huge step up in competition.