The Grade 1 Bing Crosby is going down today at Del Mar, a wild 6 furlong sprint on the dirt, and the winner punches their ticket straight into the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Sprint field. Seriously, this isn’t some throwaway race; out of the 9 horses hitting the track, 6 of them already have stakes wins to their name, proving why this thing is a Grade 1. The sprint division is always stacked in the US, and this race is just another reminder of that.
Nearly a Century of West Coast Action
Ever wonder why this race is called the Bing Crosby? Turns out the crooner himself was one of the big names who founded the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club back in the day. Santa Anita opened up shop on Christmas Day in 1934, and then Del Mar started running races in 1937. Their legacy is absolutely massive, stretching back almost a century. The Bing Crosby itself first ran in 1946, and it’s still one of the most prestigious stakes races you’ll find on the West Coast. This isn’t just about today; it’s about history.
The Field: Who’s Got the Juice?
This $400,000 race is a total betting dream with some serious talent lining up. Maximum Bourbon, at 7/2 odds, has Joel Rosario aboard and Phil D’Amato training. His last two performances? Easily good enough to win this whole thing. He’s stepping into graded stakes company for the first time, and it’s a brutal group, but he already took down Built in the St. Matthew’s Stakes at Churchill Downs, and Built is favored in another big race today! I’m leaning Maximum Bourbon on top for sure.
Then there’s Listenupshance, 8/1, with Emisael Jaramillo riding for Doug O’Neill. This horse showed his absolute best last time out at Saratoga, going head-to-head with Grade 1 winners Book Em Danno and Bentornato, who actually won last year’s BC Dirt Sprint. And get this: his ownership group, Run Fast Racing, includes none other than Lil Wayne and Lil Yachty! Imagine that winner’s circle photo. This horse was a $10,000 purchase in 2023, so a Grade 1 win today would be a massive leap. I think he’s the real live longshot in this field.
Don’t forget Dr. Venkman (yes, like the Ghostbusters!), a 6-year-old gelding at 4/1. He’ll crack a million dollars in lifetime earnings with a win today. He loves Del Mar, too, with a 4-for-7 record there, and he won last fall’s Grade 2 Pat O’Brien on this very course. Umberto Rispoli is sticking with him. But honestly, the guy prefers longer distances, so Rispoli will need to keep him closer to the pace than usual. I’m gonna pass on him today, feels like there will be too much speed up front. As for For All Mankind (12/1), he hasn’t hit the winner’s circle in a couple years, and while his last sprint effort at Lone Star Park was decent, this group is just way tougher. That’s a pass for me, too.
So, who’s gonna grab that coveted Breeders’ Cup Dirt Sprint spot? Today’s race is going to be electric, and the winner isn’t just taking home a fat check, they’re stamping their ticket to the biggest stage. This is what it’s all about.
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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