Hollendorfer a stakes winner again of Del Mar's Rancho Bernardo

Danuska's My Girl and jockey Geovanni Franco shot to the front from the outside post and were never headed in a gate-to-wire victory in the $100,000 Rancho Bernardo Handicap (G3) at Del Mar on Sunday.

The 6 1/2-furlong Rancho Bernardo was the second career stakes win for 5-year-old Danuska's My Girl, who earlier this year won the Desert Stormer (G3) at Santa Anita for owner Kelly Mitchell's Bad Boy Racing. This was also the first stakes win of the meet for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, who had been banned from running at the track before a judge's injunction in late July. 

“It has been a long time coming but we finally got one," Hollendorfer told the Del Mar media team. "I’m doing the best I can and at least some things are working out."

Danuska's My Girl broke sharply from gate No. 9 and dropped down to the rail with 3-5 favorite Anonymity, who was second at odds-on in this race a year ago, stalking up-close along the inside. Best of Me raced alongside two-wide while also applying moderate pace pressure.

Danuska's My Girl clocked an opening quarter-mile in :22.27 and continued on a clear lead through a half-mile in :45.18. Meanwhile, Anonymity and Flavien Prat dropped precious lengths to the leader just as the field entered the turn.

Danuska's My Girl continued on the lead through six furlongs in 1:10.32 through the stretch with Best of Me chasing in second. Anonymity quickened a bit in the lane, but could only mount a mild bid until finally appearing to hit top gear in the final 100 yards when it was too late. Danuska's My Girl crossed a half-length in front and paid $14.20. Final time was 1:17.13.

"She broke so sharp and then she slowed it down for me that second quarter," said Franco, who tallied his first win in a stakes at Del Mar. "I knew someone was coming late [favorite Anonymity], but it didn’t matter. I kept riding as hard as I could. She likes it here at Del Mar. So do I.”

Danuska's My Girl has three wins and been no worse than third in five starts at Del Mar. The daughter of Shackleford exited a fourth-place finish in the Great Lady M (G2) at Los Alamitos in which she finished behind Anonymity. She has now won six-of-16 starts and the winner's share pushes her earnings to more than $300,000.