Yuvetsi has first graded stakes win in Rancho Bernardo

DEL MAR, Calif. - Two weeks ago, Yuvetsi pursued Unique Bella in the Grade 1 Clement Hirsch Stakes at 1 1/16 miles before tamely fading to finish fourth.

In Sunday’s Grade 3 Rancho Bernardo Stakes for fillies and mares at 6 1/2 furlongs, Yuvetsi was the filly to catch.

After disputing the pace with 2-5 Anonymity for the first quarter-mile, Yuvetsi took command of the race from an inside position and won her first graded stakes by a convincing 2 1/2 lengths. Ridden by Tyler Baze, Yuvetsi ($20.40) was timed in 1:17.22.

“She broke so fast,” Baze said. “It didn’t look like anyone wanted to commit.”

Anonymity, who had her stakes debut in the $98,000 Rancho Bernardo, held second, finishing four lengths clear of Skye Diamonds, who won the race in 2017. Deer Valley, 14-1 outsider, was within a half-length of the lead for the first quarter-mile and faded to finish a well-beaten fourth.

Only four ran. Turkish Tabby and Moonshine Memories were scratched early Sunday. Moonshine Memories will be pointed to the Grade 2 Prioress Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at six furlongs at Saratoga on Sept. 3, trainer Simon Callaghan said.

Yuvetsi, who races for Pete and Kosta Hronis and trainer John Sadler, has won 4 of 13 starts and earned $239,930. A 4-year-old filly by Bodemeister, Yuvetsi won her stakes debut in the restricted Santa Lucia Stakes at 1 1/16 miles at Santa Anita on June 22 before the tough assignment against Unique Bella on July 29. Unique Bella is the leading older female in the nation.

“She pressed Unique Bella last time and I knew she’d be fit [today],” Sadler said in the winner’s circle. “I knew she’d try hard.”

Sadler has won the Rancho Bernardo five times, including three consecutive runnings with Track Gal from 1995-97.

“This has been a good race for us,” Sadler said.