The Bing Crosby Stakes at Del Mar carries major significance as a “win and you’re in” race for the Breeders’ Cup. This means the winner receives an automatic entry into the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Keeneland later this fall. The 81st running of this grade 1 event features a balanced nine horse field that is led by the Bob Baffert-trained Cornucopian. With every runner as Stakes placed (finished in top three) or a Stakes winner, this six-furlong dirt dash for $400,000 in cash promises to be very competitive. Named for one of the founding fathers of the Seaside Oval, the career crooner is surely smiling when he sees this lineup of talent. Last year, the California-bred Lovesick Blues shook up the world with a huge closing kick at odds of 18 to 1. Could another longshot sing in this edition of the Bing?…Let’s take a look at the entrants and provide a thought on each. The horses will be listed by post position with trainer, jockey, and morning line. The Bing Crosby Stakes will be contested on July 25 and is carded as race 10 with an expected post time of 6:30 pm Pacific time.
1 Maximum Bourbon
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Jockey: Joel Rosario
Odds: 7-2
Son of Maximum Security has three wins and a second-place finish in his last four starts. Dominated in the St. Matthews Stakes at Churchill Downs at this distance in his last start back on April 30. Could be a 100 proof player here and certainly a horse for your superfecta.
2 Listenupshance
Trainer: Doug O’Neill
Jockey: Ensimeal Jarimillo
Odds: 8-1
Hard-running son of Shancelot that has his pappy’s speed and his grandpappy’s (Hard Spun) guts. Has been in top 3 in 9 of 12 carer starts but has only found the winner’s circle 3 times. Trainer has a knack for pulling off upsets, but this is a tall task. A horse to play across the board at a price and oh by the way, those three wins have all been at old Del Mar.
3 Dr. Venkman
Trainer: Mark Glatt
Jockey: Umberto Rispoli
Odds: 4-1
Highly competitive son of Ghostzapper has run in 11 Stakes races in 13 career starts at distances ranging from six furlongs to a mile and a quarter. Was fourth in this race a year ago and finished a non-threatening fifth in his only start this year in the Bango Stakes at Churchill Downs on June 27. He has the experience against top competition and if the price is right is an across-the-board play. Put him on your exotic tickets.
4 For All Mankind
Trainer: John Sadler
Jockey: Armondo Ayuso
Odds: 12-1
Door knocking runner that has 3 wins in 23 lifetime starts but has finished second 8 times including his last two starts. This son of Into Mischief has a versatile running style and likely wants to be in the race early if he hopes to have a chance. Not sure Mankind can be there at the end against this group.
5 Stronghold
Trainer: Phil D’Amato
Jockey: Antonio Fresu
Odds: 4-1
Two wins in two starts this year and in the top two in 12 of 14 lifetime starts means he is usually right there at the end. Has made 11 starts in graded Stakes company so this son of Ghostzapper is battle tested. Distance may be a little short for him, but he is fully capable of administering the small package to the rest of the field.
6 Cornucopian
Trainer: Bob Baffert
Jockey: Juan Hernandez
Odds: 3-1
Has won three of four starts this year including Aristides Stakes at Churchill Downs in his last start on May 30. Trainer is traditionally the best in spots like this and his big turn of foot down the lane make him super dangerous as he comes in off solid works. Our top selection to sing in the Bing.
7 Gold Sweep
Trainer: John Haran
Jockey: Mike Smith
Odds: 15-1
Competitive runner that won the Lake Hamilton Stakes at Oaklawn Park on May 1. Has been in the top three in eight of his last ten starts and gets Big Money Mike in the irons. Was third in the Aristides two starts back at Churchill Downs and is coming for the ship and win money. Don’t think he Sweeps any Gold here.
8 Mad House
Trainer: David Van Winkle
Jockey: Sonny Leon
Odds: 12-1
Coming to the West Coast having won six of his last eight starts with two coming in graded Stakes company. Beat a solid field in the Count Fleet Stakes at Oaklawn Park at this distance on April 11. His pappy Vekoma had speed to burn and the plan here will likely be play catch me if you can. We think they can.
9 Moonlight
Trainer: Peter Miller
Jockey: Victor Espinoza
Odds: 20-1
Conditioner is fantastic at preparing horses for sprint races. Veteran Jockey is good at getting his mount out of the gate. Four races this year has yielded one second place finish, but all starts have been in Stakes company and at longer distances. Might be worth a price play as sometimes Moonlight can shine brightly.