Rancho Bernardo

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

A well-matched field of eight is set for Friday’s $150,000 Rancho Bernardo H. (G3) and we’ll give a slight edge to RINKY DINK (Aus) (Distorted Humor), who
finished a solid fourth when making her U.S. main-track debut last out. A Group 1
winner in her native Australia, Rinky Dink made her first two U.S. starts on the
grass before trying the main track last time for conditioner Julio Canani.

After missing the start in the seven-furlong A Gleam Invitational H. (G2), Rinky Dink
rallied past rivals to reach a threatening position in upper stretch and
continued on willingly to the wire, just missing the show in deep stretch. The
five-year-old mare earned commendable BRIS Speed and Pace ratings, and we expect
her to improve significantly off the experience. Rinky Dink should sit a perfect
stalking trip before pouncing.

PUXA SACO (Dehere) didn’t fire her best shot in the A Gleam last time, but
the Grade 3-winning mare is capable of better and could be a serious factor here
from off the pace. There is plenty of speed entered and Puxa Saco has recorded
terrific Late Pace numbers on several occasions this year, including a 114 for a
narrow third-place showing in the Humana Distaff (G1) three starts back. The
Jenine Sahadi charge appeared to bleed in her last start, but she’s worked four
times since that race 41 days ago and appears ready for a much-improved showing.

BEHAVING BADLY (Pioneering) makes her stakes bow and could be any kind for
trainer Bob Baffert. Unbeaten from two career starts, the
four-year-old broke her maiden by eight lengths last year at Del Mar and then
captured an entry-level allowance by one length earlier this meet. She’ll be
seriously tested for class and asked to stretch out past six furlongs for the
first time, but the bay miss could prove good enough to overcome all obstacles.
Behaving Badly could be forwardly placed from the start under Victor Espinoza.

FREAKIN STREAKIN (Tactical Advantage) exits a two-length tally over allowance
rivals at the 6 1/2-length distance here and can’t be dismissed from top-three consideration.
The uncoupled Canani trainee earned a triple-digit Speed rating last time and
should enjoy a favorable trip with her tactical speed.

RESPLENDENCY (Tale of the Cat) didn’t handle the stretch out in distance last
time but could be much more dangerous cutting back to 6 1/2 furlongs. The
four-year-old owns a nice 3-1-2-0 record over the track and finished a good second in
the Torrey Pines S. last year. She will face some pressure up front, but we
wouldn’t be surprised to see Resplendency hold on for a top-three placing. DEE
DEE’S DINER (Bold Badgett) is 1-1-0 from two starts over the track and will
likely be gunning for the lead from the start. The Cal-bred miss has never faced
graded rivals before, but her speed remains dangerous.

MINI SKIRT (Wild Again) reeled off two straight allowance wins before
dropping her last effort against fellow Cal-breds, and we’ll just watch to see
how she fares in her graded debut. NINADIVINA (Cape Town) hasn’t fared well at
this level and doesn’t look fast enough to challenge.