How to bet the 2025 Rancho Bernardo Handicap

August 22nd, 2025

Sunday’s $100,000 Rancho Bernardo H. (G2) at Del Mar attracted just five fillies and mares for the 6 1/2-furlong dash, but the affair features an intriguing contrast between the two main players in the heat and will be an exciting feature on the healthy nine-race card. 

Rancho Bernardo Wagers

  • $20 trifecta 5 with 3 with 4 ($20)
  • $10 trifecta 3 with 5 with 4 ($10)

The clear one to beat is four-time graded queen #5 Sweet Azteca, who made her 2025 debut a winning one when topping the fantastic Kopion to defend her crown in the Great Lady M S. (G2) at Los Alamitos. The gray mare, who dominated this race by seven lengths at 1-10 odds last campaign, is a swift gate horse and was also assigned an ideal post slot on the outside of the small cast to avoid trouble. 

The Kentucky-bred mare is certainly one of the top one-turn ladies in the country and has room to move forward second time off the long absence in her second outing for trainer Richard Baltas. The lightly raced daughter of Sharp Azteca has posted five perfectly spaced morning drills in advance of her second attempt at Del Mar and will be a deserving short-priced favorite with Juan Hernandez retaining the ride. 

Mark Glatt’s #3 Formula Rossa is two-for-two in her career with a pair of eye-catching wins, including an allowance stroll in her local bow on Aug. 3. The chestnut daughter of Vekoma earned a stout 103 Brisnet Speed number for her work most recently and we have not seen the best of her as of yet, in my opinion. Purchased for $270,000 as a yearling, the Kentucky-bred got a maintenance work in to prepare for her stakes bow and will get a true class test on Sunday. 

Formula Rossa will face an older and more seasoned group in this spot, but she looks like a star in the making, and the three-year-old will also receive a substantial 11-pound weight break from the favorite, as well. The move to seven-eighths will also aid the filly, who has closed swiftly in both runs at six panels to date. She will undoubtedly need a big step forward to take down Sweet Azteca in the contest, but I feel that she might be up to the task. 

Grade 3 victress #4 Visually is my pick to finish third in the affair. Librado Barocio pupil improved with the blinkers coming off in the grassy Daisycutter last time and will try the dirt for the initial time in her career. The late runner will pick up pieces in the lane beneath Armando Ayuso.

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