Behaving Like a Winner

An easy winner in two well-spaced starts for trainer Bob Baffert, Behaving Badly will make her graded stakes debut today in the $150,000 Rancho Bernardo Handicap at Del Mar.

Owned by Hal and Patti Earnhardt, the 4-year-old Pioneering filly broke her maiden by eight lengths in her debut last Aug. 29, then didn’t resurface until she won an allowance as the 9-10 favorite on July 24.

Although the margin of victory was only one length in her latest win, it was accomplished with ease and she has returned to work twice.

Victor Espinoza, who rode the New York-bred for the first time last month, has the call in the Rancho Bernardo, a Grade III race at 6 1/2 furlongs.

Baffert will also send out Resplendency, who hasn’t been seen since finishing seventh of nine in the Louisville Breeders’ Cup Handicap on May 6 at Churchill Downs.

A 4-year-old Tale Of The Cat filly owned by Bob and Beverly Lewis, Resplendency has a win and two seconds in three starts at Del Mar.

Race of the day: Victory Lap, who has won five of six on the turf, will make her first start today for trainer Bob Barbara in the $150,000 Lake Placid Handicap at Saratoga. The winner of the Lone Star Oaks by 14 1/4 lengths in her last start at Lone Star Park in Texas on July 2, the 3-year-old Touch Gold filly will be ridden by Robby Albarado in the Grade II race at 1 1/8 miles. The race is part of a pick six with a carry-over of more than $65,000. Owned by John Pucek, Victory Lap has won five in a row over three different tracks.

One for the road: My Boomerang looked good winning at first asking on July 28 at Santa Rosa and might be able to upset certain favorite Puff Of Smoke in today’s third at Bay Meadows. Tony Noguez will ride the 2-year-old Boomerang colt for co-owner and trainer Gloria Buckridge in the $19,000 starter allowance at 5 1/2 furlongs.

Exotically speaking: A pick three using J J Jake, Cheroot and City and State in the sixth, Resplendency and Behaving Badly in the seventh and Julep Cup and Ella Ella in the eighth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 3/71. Money: Previous day/meet total: $18.40/$425.20. Total money bet: $444.