Horse Race Preview: Race 2 – Grade III Rancho Bernardo Handicap at Del Mar

Race 2 on Sunday’s Del Mar card features the Grade III Rancho Bernardo Handicap, a six-and-a-half-furlong dirt dash for fillies and mares three and older. With $100,000 in added purse money and a field of five speedsters, this race shapes up as a tactical battle between proven sprinters and up-and-coming challengers.

Field Overview

Post	Horse	Age	ML Odds	Wt.	Jockey	Trainer	Pedigree (Sire–Dam)
1	Chismosa	5	5 /1	119	Kyle Frey	Rafael DeLeon	Clubhouse Ride – You Can Dream
2	Donttellourwives	3	20 /1	114	Diego A. Herrera	Leonard Powell	Khozan – My Princess Dawn
3	Formula Rossa	3	3 /1	115	Antonio Fresu	Mark Glatt	Vekoma – Fay Na Na
4	Visually	4	15 /1	118	Armando Ayuso	Librado Barocio	Enticed – Eye Candy Annie
5	Sweet Azteca	5	2 /5	126	Juan J. Hernandez	Richard Baltas	Sharp Azteca – So Sweetitiz

Pace Scenario & Race Dynamics

Early speed is well represented by Sweet Azteca, Formula Rossa and Chismosa—all three have shown the ability to break sharply and secure forward positions. Visually and Donttellourwives will likely stalk the pace from mid-pack, hoping to pounce on tiring leaders approaching the far turn. Expect a contested opening quarter in :21-flat or faster, setting the stage for a late kick battle.

Contender Analysis

Sweet Azteca (Post 5, 2/5 ML)

Sweet Azteca is the reigning champion in this division, flashing elite raw speed when returning from a nine-month layoff to capture the G2 Great Lady M Stakes at Los Alamitos. By Sharp Azteca, her sprinting aptitude is inherited—sharp break, relentless drive, and a high cruising speed. With Baltas’ barn red-hot in summer and Hernandez aboard, she figures to control early fractions and dictate terms.

Formula Rossa (Post 3, 3/1 ML)

Trained by Mark Glatt, Formula Rossa rattled off an effortless six-length victory in last month’s Del Mar sprint, showcasing tactical versatility from the inside draw. A daughter of Vekoma, she blends stamina and turn-of-foot, rating better than her 117 BRIS figure suggests. Fresu’s familiarity with her sprinting pattern makes her a live “second‐call” in a small, pace-driven field.

Chismosa (Post 1, 5/1 ML)

Rafael DeLeon’s top earner boasts a runner‐up effort in the 2024 Rancho Bernardo at 1-for-4 around Del Mar’s main track. By Clubhouse Ride, Chismosa has proven resilience in deep stretch drives, and Frey’s aggressive riding style can secure a ground-saving position. She’ll need to overcome Sweet Azteca’s burst, but a quicker pace could set her up for a late onslaught.

Visually (Post 4, 15/1 ML)

With multiple graded‐stakes in her past and over 120 days fresh, Librado Barocio’s mare may sit comfortably behind the leaders. By Enticed, she inherits tactical speed and a solid closing kick, yet must find room through traffic. Ayuso’s disciplined handling and her proven form around two turns give her a dark‐horse upside if the front end bogs down.

Donttellourwives (Post 2, 20/1 ML)

This Khozan filly has been competitive in state-bred sprints at Los Alamitos, flashing a late rally to break her maiden in June. Leonard Powell stretches her out to two turns occasionally, but this sharp 6½-furlong test on fast dirt should suit her closing style. Herrera must navigate a ground-saving trip to utilize her kick against more seasoned rivals.

Trainer & Jockey Matchups

Rafael DeLeon & Kyle Frey click at 19% win rate when bringing strong radials to Del Mar.

Richard Baltas leads all local conditioners in stakes wins this meet; Hernandez has thrived aboard his graded stakes sprinters.

Mark Glatt pairing with Antonio Fresu yields 25% in six-figure sprints at Del Mar.