A year ago, Pamela Ziebarth was feeling on top of the world. Her homebred filly Sweet Azteca had just dominated the field in the Rancho Bernardo Handicap (G3) at Del Mar and appeared on her way to the Breeders' Cup.
But following a last-place finish in her start prior to the World Championships, dreams of the dynamic sprinter adding a very illustrious feather in her cap vanished just as quickly as she typically runs.
The allure of the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1) still tempts Ziebarth. And after Sweet Azteca proved much the best in a field of four in this year's edition of the 6 1/2-furlong, $100,000 Rancho Bernardo Aug. 24, she had no qualms about what the victory means.
"Real disappointed from last year, not making it to the Breeders' Cup, but we're there this time," Ziebarth said.
The gray or roan daughter of Sharp Azteca got a good start and immediately moved to the front, joined by Formula Rossa with the two matching stride for stride. Sweet Azteca, who led at every point of call, posted a fast opening quarter-mile in :21.82 before setting a blistering half-mile at :43.81, and 1:08.53 for three-quarters of a mile.
At the top of the stretch, jockey Juan Hernandez urged his mount and she sprung free, hitting the wire in 1:15.44, 3 1/2 lengths ahead of her nearest rival.
"This is probably the most competition she's had with that filly coming on her. I think she just needed to make that little effort," Ziebarth said.
Hernandez added, "There was no problem with my horse running alongside that other one up the backstretch; my horse was enjoying it. She likes a good fight. They were going fast, but she was going easy. When we hit the quarter pole, I asked her and we were gone. She's good."
Chismosa, who was second by seven lengths in the race a year ago, was third, and Donttellourwives was fourth. Sweet Azteca paid $2.80 for the win.
Sweet Azteca is trained by Richard Baltas, who took over conditioning the filly for her 5-year-old campaign. She is 2-for-2 this year under his guidance. Overall, she is 7-0-1 from nine starts with $667,200 in earnings.
Sharp Azteca, who began his stud career in 2019, stood this year at Shizunai Stallion Station in Japan for a private fee.
The race is part of the Breeders' Cup Dirt Dozen Bonus Series, which provides a tiered bonus bankroll for horses finishing first, second, or third in these designated races. Sweet Azteca earned $15,000 that can be put towards pre-entry and entry fees at the World Championships Oct. 31-Nov. 1 at Del Mar.
