That $2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint spot is on the line at Del Mar this Saturday, and the 81st running of the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes is ready to deliver a wild ride. This isn’t just some casual race, folks. This is a “win and you’re in” event, meaning the winner automatically punches their ticket to Keeneland later this fall. The stakes could not be higher for this nine-horse field.
The Heavy Hitters Eyeball That Golden Ticket
Bob Baffert’s **Cornucopian** is pegged as the morning line favorite, and yeah, that’s gonna get some serious attention. But you absolutely cannot sleep on **Maximum Bourbon**. This son of Maximum Security just dominated the St. Matthews Stakes at Churchill Downs back on April 30, running strong at this exact distance. He’s got three wins and a second-place finish in his last four starts, which is a seriously hot streak. He’s definitely a “100 proof player” here, as they say, and you’ll want him on your tickets. Another major player to watch is **Stronghold**. He’s already got two wins in two starts this year, and get this: he’s been in the top two in 12 of 14 lifetime starts! The guy is always right there at the end. He’s seen 11 graded Stakes races, making this son of Ghostzapper incredibly battle tested. Even if the six-furlong distance might be a little short for him, you know he’s going to administer the small package to the rest of the field if he gets the chance. And don’t forget **Dr. Venkman**, another Ghostzapper son who finished fourth in this very race a year ago. He’s run in 11 Stakes races in 13 career starts, so he knows what top competition feels like.
Upset Alert: Can Another Longshot Shake Things Up?
History tells us this race can deliver some unbelievable upsets. Remember last year when the California-bred **Lovesick Blues** shook up the world with a huge closing kick at 18 to 1 odds? Could another longshot sing in this edition of the Bing? You gotta look at **Listenupshance**, a hard-running son of Shancelot with serious speed and guts. He’s been in the top three in nine of his 12 career starts, and here’s the kicker: all three of his wins have been right here at old Del Mar! His trainer, Doug O’Neill, is known for pulling off upsets, and this $400,000, Grade 1 race is exactly the kind of tall task where he thrives. Then there’s **For All Mankind**, who might have only three wins in 23 lifetime starts, but he’s finished second eight times, including his last two. This son of Into Mischief has a versatile running style, and if he gets to the front early, who knows what could happen. Every single runner in this balanced nine-horse field is Stakes placed or a Stakes winner, so you know this six-furlong dirt dash is going to be incredibly competitive.
The post time for Race 10 is set for 6:30 pm Pacific on July 25. Who’s going to punch their ticket to Keeneland and that $2 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint? Will it be a favorite like Cornucopian or Maximum Bourbon, or are we about to see another longshot shock the world? You do not want to miss this one!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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