The Bernardo Handicap – GIII
8/10/19
DMR Race 5 6 1/2F – Dirt
Purse $100.000
Three Year Olds and Up Fillies and Mares

A field of nine filly and mare sprinters have been entered up to contest this years Bernardo Handicap over the Del Mar surface. There are some very good runners in this field so it should be a good race. Let’s look at the field.

1. Cocoa Nut (17-6-0-2 $445.770), trained by Team 7 Illusions

This first filly in the field is a graded stakes winner this year as she won the grade three Chicago Handicap two starts ago. She ran on the turf in her last start and didn’t show much at all so I think the return to the dirt is going to help.

2. Plucky Riddle (19-7-5-3 $236.100), trained by Tiratzo

And this next mare in the field is coming into this race off of a second place finish in the grade three Hendrie Stakes at Woodbine. She ran a good closing second that day and that is her usual style so a quick pace up front will help her out quite a bit.

3. Lives To Dream (16-4-6-2 $127.570), trained by Joshua Stables

This next filly is coming into this race off of a ninth place finish in the grade two Princess Rooney Handicap at Gulfstream. She just did not fire that day but it was a tough race. This looks a little easier but she is still going to have to step up her game to win in here.

4. Phun Stick (28-6-8-5 $663.090), trained by Sccj Stables

One of last years Breeders Cup Filly and Mare Sprint runner ups right here but she has seemed to have lost a step this year. She has not been running bad but she has not been running as well as she can either. Maybe she can turn it around in here but she is in bad form.

5. Seydoux (17-5-4-1 $302.600), trained by Smokey Stover

The next filly in the field is coming into this race off of a fifth place finish in the grade two Princess Rooney Handicap. She was closing late that day though and she was only beaten a length for it all. She likes to come from behind so a quick pace will help her out.

6. Diplomatic Chaos (14-7-0-0 $454.880), trained by Winning Link Stables

Well this next filly is pretty much an all or nothing type because she either wins or runs a big clunker. Her last out was a clunker when she ran tenth in the Princess Rooney Handicap. She won before that so maybe it is a good race that is coming up. But who knows with her.

7. Oyster Puff (29-9-7-3 $636.150), trained by Mb Stables

The first of two for Mb Stables is this classy mare who has won graded stakes races before. She ran seventh in the Princess Rooney Handicap in her last start but she was only beaten a length and was closing late. She is capable of winning with a good trip.

8. Sunsweet (18-4-1-7 $211.970), trained by Team 7 Illusions

The second for Team 7 Illusions here and she is coming into this race off of two turf races in a row. She did not show much in either of those races. She has also this level of competition with not a lot of success. She is going to have to step it up to win this one.

9. Steel Calling (21-8-5-5 $559.410), trained by Mb Stables

The last runner in the field and the second for Mb Stables is my top choice because she just ran second in the Princess Rooney Handicap and beat a couple other that are in here. She ran a good race that day and if she repeats that she will be tough to beat here.

Summary

Well this is a tricky field because there is not really a total standout in the field. The top choice is Steel Calling because she beat a few others in this race in her last start. She has a tough post to overcome though. Good luck to all in the field.

9-2-5-6

Categories: STAKES ARTICLES