Edgeway Rallies Past Slammed to Win Rancho Bernardo
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Photo: Benoit Photo
Edgeway wins the Rancho Bernardo Handicap at Del Mar
Anyone looking for a head-to-head clash in the Aug. 28 $150,000 Rancho Bernardo Handicap (G3) at Del Mar between last year's winner, Edgeway , and Slammed , who had seven victories in her last eight starts, got all they could have wanted and more.
The favorites wasted little time showing why they were the morning-line best bets, but in the end, Edgeway had enough to take a late lead and hold off her rival, winning by a half-length in 1:15.97 on a fast track.
Dance to the Music jumped out to the early lead, but after she reached the quarter-mile mark in this 6 1/2-furlong contest for fillies and mares, Edgeway and Slammed stopped biding their time and moved three across, if only for a moment. By then, the rest of the field became spectators.
With Slammed along the rail, Edgeway sought to make her move but could only keep just off her pace ever so slightly. With Drayden Van Dyke aboard, Slammed was able to keep Edgeway at bay by just a head through a half mile in :44.85. At the eighth pole, Slammed still led by a head. It wasn't until well into the final furlong that Edgeway, with Juan Hernandez urging her on, found the extra gear necessary to take the lead once and for all just yards from the wire.
The win qualifies 5-year-old Edgeway for the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint (G1) at Keeneland. Last year she finished second to Ce Ce by 2 1/2 lengths in that race at Del Mar.
Trainer John Sadler told TVG after the race, "She had two very good races on this track last year. She was second in the Breeders' Cup."
He noted that with the exception of the sixth-place finish May 7 at Churchill Downs, it had been some time since Edgeway had been challenged the way Slammed had taken her to the limit.
Sadler said Edgeway will train from Del Mar in preparation for the Breeders' Cup.
Edgeway improves to 3-0-0 in four starts this year and 8-2-1 over 13 starts lifetime. She has earned $204,660 in 2022 and $753,860 in her career.
Owner Kosta Hronis said, "She's tough, she proved that down the lane there. This is her racetrack, and she wanted to make sure she stamped it."
Bred by Pope McLean, Valerie Blethen, and David Blethen, Edgeway was purchased by Martin Anthony from the Mayberry Farms consignment for $275,000 at the 2019 Ocala Breeders' Sale April Spring Sale of 2-year-olds in training.
Edgeway, whose sire is Competitive Edge and dam is Magical Solution by Stormin Fever, returned $3.80 on a $2 bet.
Slammed finished 7 1/2 lengths up on Cover Version . Empire House and Dance to the Music rounded out the field.