Dearest Trickski, a swift four-year-old filly owned by Tom Mankiewicz and trained by John Sadler, took command after the break under jockey Mike Smith and prevailed in the narrowest of finishes over the 11-1 Tiz Elemental and her rider, Joel Rosario.
Dearest Trickski, claimed for $32,000 a year ago at Del Mar, was scoring her eleventh victory in 16 starts and earned $120,000 to increase her bankroll to $660,100. She also guaranteed herself a place in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint on Friday, August 24 at Santa Anita.
Second choice in the wagering at 2-1, Dearest Trickski, a daughter of Proudest Roman bred in Florida, returned $6.20, $4.20 and $3.40. Tiz Elemental paid $10.40 and $6.40, while La Tee paid $11.60 to show.
For Sadler, it was his fourth success in the Rancho Bernardo Handicap, a race he won three successive years with Track Gal, 1995-97.
The winner's time was 1:15.17.
MIKE SMITH (Dearest Trickski) -- "I was praying for a good break; she needs that good break. And my handler (assistant starter) was terrific. He got us out of there great. She broke terrifically. And we needed it. I got pressure right away from the outside. Look how fast we went. She was game all the way. Dead game. At the end, she reached down to the bottom of her hooves and gave me all she had."
JOEL ROSARIO (Tiz Elemental) -- "I thought I had a shot at catching her (Dearest Trickski). The other filly was too tough. I tried to get to her and was gaining. My filly ran big. I had no problems in the race. My instructions were to stay outside and away from any possible trouble inside."
JOHN SADLER (Dearest Trickski) -- "I thought the first quarter was reasonable but she had to work pretty hard the second quarter. But she proved today that she was very game. She has to be supplemented to the Breeders' Cup, but she's made enough money for Mr. [Tom] Mankiewicz that I'm sure he'll be glad to do that."
KAREN HEADLEY (asst. to father Bruce Headley, Magnificience) -- "She's always slow getting out of the gate, but when she got away this time it looked like she just had to pedal and pedal and pedal. She made up a lot of ground at the end, but obviously not enough. I think she needed more track today. Three strides past the finish she was way ahead of the others."
FRACTIONS: :22.50 :44.68 1:08.68 1:15.17
The final time is a Polytrack record, eclipsing the 1:15.59 run by Hurry Up Austin on August 2, 2008.
The stakes win was the third of the meet for Mike Smith, but his 20th overall at Del Mar. This is the second time he's won this race.
The stakes win was the sixth of the meet for John Sadler and his 28th overall at Del Mar. This is the fourth time he has won this race.