Sneaking Out No Surprise in Rancho Bernardo

DEL MAR, CA – KMN Racing homebred Sneaking Out was no surprise as the winning favorite in Friday’s $100,000 Rancho Bernardo Handicap (G3) at Del Mar.

Sneaking Out was the 9/5 favorite as she broke from post 5 under Umberto Rispoli. She quickly went to the front and raced inside of Amuse while applying pressure to Artistic Diva and Mother of Dragons to their inside.

After an opening 1/4-mile in :22.35, the inner two front-runners gave way as Amuse ranged up to make a bid. Sneaking Out responded immediately when asked and drew off sharply in the stretch.

The Jerry Hollendorfer trainee was 3 3/4 lengths the best in a final time of 1:15.57 for the 6 1/2-furlong fast dirt sprint.

“This is my first time on her,” Rispoli said. “We can’t work horses here, so we have to watch a lot of videos. I like what I saw. She did all this today herself. She switched leads nicely, then ‘Bam,’ she just went. At the end, she was really rolling; I couldn’t stop her. She’s a really nice filly.”

Amuse held second by the slimmest of margins, nosing out Gingham and Unique Factor for second.

The rest of the field was strung out behind them, coming across in order as Mucho Amor, Mother of Dragons, Into Chocolate, and Artistic Diva.

Sneaking Out’s win was her second straight following the Great Lady M Stakes (G2) and improved her overall record to 12-6-4-0. The California-bred 4-year-old Indian Evening filly has now earned $491,441.

“I think she was even better today (than in the Great Lady M), and my rider told me he was very impressed with her,” Hollendorfer said. “She’s getting good right now. She wins a Grade 2, and then puts weight on and still wins; you always hope she can be better. … I think there’s more that she can do.”

Sneaking Out returned $5.60 to win, $3.40 to place, and $2.80 to show. Amuse brought back $10.60 to place and $5.40 to show, while Gingham paid $3.40 to show.