Rancho Bernardo probably next for Bendable

ARCADIA, Calif. – Bendable, who won her first start of 2017 in the $100,000 Desert Stormer Stakes at Santa Anita on Saturday, is unlikely to start until the Del Mar summer season.

Trainer Richard Mandella said on Wednesday that he prefers to run her in the Grade 3 Rancho Bernardo Handicap at 6 1/2 furlongs for fillies and mares at Del Mar on Aug. 13 over the Grade 2 Great Lady M. Stakes at Los Alamitos on July 8.

The Great Lady M. is worth $200,000, while the Rancho Bernardo is worth $100,000. Mandella said the timing of the two races is the deciding factor.

“It’s too soon,” he said of the Great Lady M. “Coming back as strong as she did, I think it’s better to give her time.”

Owned by Claiborne Farm, Bendable won the Desert Stormer Stakes at six furlongs for fillies and mares by 1 1/2 lengths. She was taken out of training last fall with a splint-bone injury.

By Horse Greeley, Bendable is considered a prospect for the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Del Mar on Nov. 4. Bendable has won 4 of 6 starts and earned $212,000.

Avenge, third in the Grade 1 Gamely Stakes on May 27 in her first start of the year, worked five furlongs in 1:00.20 on Wednesday.

Trained by Mandella, Avenge is expected to start in the Grade 2 Yellow Ribbon Handicap for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on turf at Del Mar on Aug. 5. Last year, Avenge won the Grade 2 John C. Mabee Stakes at Del Mar and the Grade 1 Rodeo Drive Stakes at Santa Anita before finishing third in the BC Filly and Mare Turf at Santa Anita.