Off as the 9-1 third choice in the four-horse field, Hronis Racing’s Yuvetsi proved she had what it takes in the Grade 3 Rancho Bernardo Stakes at Del Mar. The 4-year-old Bodemeister filly emerged with the lead down the backstretch, was challenged at the head of the lane and kicked clear late to win by about three lengths. Ridden by Tyler Baze for trainer John Sadler, Yuvetsi completed 6 1/2 furlongs over the fast main track in 1:17.22.
A very even beginning saw Anonymity briefly take the lead before Baze sent Yuvetsi through at the rail, but it was less than a length between all four rivals through a first quarter in :22.08. Entering the turn, Yuvetsi was challenged by the 1-5 favorite Anonymity, and the two were moving head-and-head all the way through the half in :44.93. Yuvetsi had regained a slight advantage at the top of the stretch, emboldening her to kick clear down the lane to win by about three lengths. Anonymity was relegated to second, while Skye Diamonds finished third.
Bred in Kentucky by Frankfort Park Farm, Yuvetsi was purchased from the Hidden Brook consignment at the 2015 Keeneland September sale for$420,000. Previously a listed winner, the Rancho Bernardo triumph improves her record to 4-3-2 from 12 starts with earnings just shy of $230,000.
“John (Sadler) said, ‘Just ride it as it comes up,’ ” Baze said. “And she came out of there so fast, I was right up front. Nobody seemed to really want to go to the front, so I just kept on going. I knew she wasn’t going to get tired; she’d had that mile race last out, so I knew she was plenty fit. Then she just went on with it and ground them all down.”
“Well, she’s coming off a longer race and I knew she would battle all the way,” Sadler added. “She’s a trier. I didn’t realize how many times I’d won this race, and it kind of perked me up when I heard (simulcast host) John Lies talking about it in the paddock. It’s always been a good race for us, and now this filly has won a small stakes at Santa Anita and graded stakes here at Del Mar, so we’re happy.”
– edited from www.paulickreport.com andwww.sandiegouniontribune.com
