Kalookan Queen, owned by Louis Asistio and trained by Bruce Headley, will try to repeat her winning 2001 effort in Sunday's 31st Rancho Bernardo Handicap (gr. III) for fillies and mares going 6 1/2 furlongs on the Del Mar main track.She will lead a small but talented field of five to the gate for the $150,000 event. Kalookan Queen will carry high weight of 123 pounds including regular rider Alex Solis. Among her foes are Go Go, assigned 122 pounds, and Warren's Whistle, weighted at 116. They are back to renew a rivalry that includes finishing second and third, respectively, in last year's Rancho Bernardo.Headley is confident of his 6-year-old mare, who has finished out of the money only once in 22 lifetime starts. Her record stands at nine wins, eight seconds and four thirds, with earnings of $806,049.On her progress toward the race, Headley said, "She loves Del Mar. She loves
the climate. She loves the feel of the track. She's always raced well here. She's worked very well and she's ready to run. She's been pointed for this race since we knew what date it was."As to reprising her 2001 success, Headley acknowledged that two in a row would be nice for Kalookan Queen. "She's been a great mare. To me, for a mare this good, I'd race her until she got over a million dollars." That, he believes, is about two races away.
$150,000 Rancho Bernardo Handicap (gr. III, 6 1/2 furlongs)
PP Horse (Jockey), Wt
1 Ayanna (Garrett Gomez), 109
2 Warren's Whistle (G.F. Almeida), 116
3 Go Go (Eddie Delahoussaye), 122
4 Kalookan Queen (Alex Solis), 123
5 Fancee Bargain (Victor Espinoza), 112
