The speedy Reneesgotzip strides toward 2014 debut

DEL MAR, Calif. – The workouts, speed figures, and visual impressions convey the same message about Reneesgotzip, the four-time stakes winner who makes her 2014 debut in Sunday’s $150,000 Rancho Bernardo Handicap at Del Mar.

Reneesgotzip is a brilliant sprinter.

But her hard-charging style can take a toll.

“She’s too fast for her own good,” trainer Peter Miller said last weekend.

Owned by Debbie Lanni, Reneesgotzip has been limited to 13 starts in her career, which began in December 2011. This Sunday, she returns from a nine-month layoff to begin an abbreviated 5-year-old campaign.

The goal is a third consecutive appearance in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. In 2012, Reneesgotzip was within a neck of the lead in the BC Turf Sprint at Santa Anita and finished third, beaten 1 3/4 lengths by Mizdirection. Last year, Reneesgotzip led by 1 1/2 lengths with a furlong remaining but was caught by Mizdirection and finished second, beaten a half-length.

Mizdirection has been retired. Reneesgotzip is returning to racing after undergoing surgery to have a bone chip removed from a knee for the second consecutive year.

If she returns to her previous form, Reneesgotzip could easily add to her list of stakes wins in the Rancho Bernardo, run over 6 1/2 furlongs for fillies and mares. Last year, in a season that began at Del Mar in July, Reneesgotzip won an allowance race and the Grade 3 Rancho Bernardo, earning career-best Beyer Speed Figures of 105 and 103.

Miller expects the same efforts this year.

“It looks like she’s as good as she was before,” Miller said.

Miller, 47, kept Reneesgotzip with his stable at the San Luis Rey Downs training center in northern San Diego County until this week, when she was sent to Del Mar, 30 miles away. At San Luis Rey, Reneesgotzip worked six furlongs in 1:10.20 on Aug. 2.

“I don’t know if you could do it any easier than she did,” Miller said.

By City Zip, Reneesgotzip is a bold runner, often fighting for the early lead. In her seven wins, she has not been farther than a length off the lead. She has shown remarkable consistency, having finished in the top three in 12 of 13 starts. Her only blemish is a seventh against males in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Sprint Championship in October 2012.

Reneesgotzip was purchased for $45,000 at an Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. sale of 2-year-olds in training in 2011 and did not start until the end of that year, winning a maiden race at Hollywood Park. In 2012, she won the Grade 2 Santa Ynez Stakes on dirt at Santa Anita and the CERF Stakes at Del Mar. She is unbeaten in six starts on synthetic tracks at now-defunct Hollywood Park and Del Mar. Her only two starts on turf were the BC Turf Sprint races.

Miller cited Reneesgotzip’s stride as her best asset, especially for a mare who he said is not especially large.

“She has heart and a desire to run and win,” Miller said. “From a technical point, it’s her long stride. She’s not a big horse, but it’s an efficient stride and a long stride. She’s jumps a long way.”

After her three-race 2013 campaign, Miller said there was no talk of retirement, only of giving Reneesgotzip a lengthy break to recover from surgery.

“Mrs. Lanni said if we think she can come back as well as she did before, let’s bring her back,” Miller said. “We keep a sharp eye on her. She enjoys training and enjoys her job.”

Lanni is the widow of Terry Lanni, who was chief executive of the MGM Grand Casino company. Debbie Lanni is a co-owner of Game On Dude, the top older male in California in recent years and a contender for the $1 million Pacific Classic on Aug. 24.

Reneesgotzip is the top female runner in Lanni’s small stable. There might even be a 2015 season for Reneesgotzip, depending on how she performs in the coming months.