Del Mar: Euroears, Smiling Tiger to face off in Bing Crosby Stakes

DEL MAR, Calif. – It’ll happen long after high noon, but there’s going to be an old-fashioned Western shootout Sunday at Del Mar.

Euroears and Smiling Tiger, two of the fastest guns in the West, are set for a compelling sprint showdown in the Grade 1, $250,000 Bing Crosby Stakes, a six-furlong race that also is expected to draw the accomplished stakes winner Amazombie.

Euroears has not raced since finishing second in the Dubai Golden Shaheen in March, but he has been training sensationally for his comeback. On Monday, he worked five furlongs in 59.80 seconds, which tied for the second fastest of 45 at the distance and was one of just three works faster than one minute.

“He’s been working really, really nice,” said Bob Baffert, who trains Euroears.

Smiling Tiger is coming off a win in the Grade 1 Triple Bend at Hollywood Park on July 2, in which he earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 112. Amazombie was third in that race.

Carbonite is definite for the Bing Crosby, while Coffee Boy, Color of Courage, Don Tito, Kinsale King, and Streakin Mohican are under consideration.

Secret Circle impresses in debut win

The overpowering debut victory by Secret Circle in a 2-year-old maiden race Saturday may bode well for Baffert’s crop of juveniles.

“We thought he was nice, because he had been working well in company with other horses, but we didn’t think he was Superman,” Baffert said.

Secret Circle, by Eddington, romped by 7 1/4 lengths and earned a 97 Beyer Figure in the 5 1/2-furlong race. He was purchased in March at the Ocala Breeders Sale for $165,000. He is owned by Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, and Paul Weitman.

“He showed a little more than he had shown in the mornings, which is always a good sign,” Baffert said.

Warren, Johnston double up in stakes

Trainer Don Warren and owner-breeder Bud Johnston of Old English Rancho had a terrific weekend, capturing the Grade 1 Eddie Read with Acclamation on Saturday and then coming back with Norvsky in the California Dreamin’ on Sunday. Both are California-bred homebreds.

Acclamation has won three straight and likely will make his next start in the Grade 2, $200,000 Del Mar Handicap at 1 3/8 miles on turf on Aug. 28, Warren said.

“He’s just developed into such a good horse,” Warren said. “He’s developed into a mature racehorse.”

Andina waiting for Palomar Handicap

Andina, winner of the Osunitas Stakes for female turf horses on Saturday, likely will await the Grade 2, $150,000 Palomar Handicap on Sept. 5, rather than return sooner for the Grade 2, $250,000 John Mabee Stakes on Aug. 14, trainer Ben Cecil said. Like the Osunitas, the Palomar is at 1 1/16 miles on turf, whereas the Mabee is at 1 1/8 miles.

“She’s just a cut below the very best out here,” Cecil said, “but she tries every time. She’s only a little thing The Palomar might be a better spot than the Mabee.”

In the Osunitas, Andina beat Wild Mia by a head, with City to City another nose farther back in third.

◗ Trainer Jorge Periban was fined $400 by Del Mar’s stewards because his horse Ribat was not treated with Lasix before the deadline on Saturday, resulting in the horse being scratched from the first race. Under California racing law, horses must receive their Lasix shots no later than four hours before post time for their race.