by Bob Ehalt
In 2007, Dearest Trickski ran for a $10,000 claiming price at Lone Star Park. On Sunday at Del Mar, the Proudest Romeo filly secured a spot in the $1-million Sentient Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint on October 24 at Santa Anita Park.
Dearest Trickski held on by a nose to win the $200,000 Rancho Bernardo Handicap (G3) in track record time at Del Mar on Sunday. The Rancho Bernardo win earned the four-year-old filly a spot in the Filly and Mare Sprint as part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” series.
The 2.10-to-1 second wagering choice completed 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:15.17 under jockey Mike Smith to break the track record for Del Mar’s Polytrack surface, which was installed in 2007.
Dearest Trickski was claimed by owner Tom Mankiewicz and trainer John Sadler for $32,000 in August 2007 at Del Mar and subsequently has won seven of eight races for her connections. Included in that stretch are wins in the ‘07 La Brea Stakes (G1) and this year’s A Gleam Handicap (G2) and Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Sprint Stakes.
"She’s the most unbelievable, courageous filly,” Mankiewicz said. “She’s as game a filly as you’ve ever seen.”
Dearest Trickski needed every bit of that gameness as she set the early fractions of :22.50 and :44.68 . She was fully extended to nip fast-closing Tiz Elemental at the wire.
La Tee finished third, while 3-to-2 favorite Magnificience never entered contention and finished fifth in the field of nine.
Bred by Dr. K. K. Jayaraman and Dr. V. Devi Jayaraman, Dearest Trickski has won 11 of 16 starts and earned $660,108.
“She’s eligible for the Breeders’ Cup and we’ll certainly think about it,” Mankiewicz said.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
Bob Ehalt is a Connecticut-based Thoroughbred Times correspondent