Bing Crosby stakes to separate pretenders from contenders
The messy California sprint division may gain some clarity after Saturday’s Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes at Del Mar.
Someone needs to step forward. After all, the winner of the $400,000 race at six furlongs will receive a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Sprint on Nov. 5 at Keeneland.
The Bing Crosby, the richest sprint of the year in California, drew a field of 10, but only one 2022 graded stakes winner in American Theorem, who prevailed by a nose in the Grade 2 Triple Bend Stakes at seven furlongs on May 29 at Santa Anita.
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Brickyard Ride, Cezanne, and Essential Wager won graded stakes earlier in the year at Santa Anita, but have been retired or are not currently active.
All 10 runners in the Bing Crosby will start in a Grade 1 for the first time this year.
On the basis of his recent win, American Theorem will be well supported. In the Triple Bend, American Theorem closed from fourth in a field of six to win over Principe Carlo, who is part of the Bing Crosby field.
American Theorem, trained by George Papaprodromou for Rustin Kretz, won his first stakes in his 11th start in the Triple Bend.
He is likely to have a stalking trip under jockey Joe Bravo on Saturday. American Theorem breaks from post 9.
“I think we should be okay,” Papaprodromou said. “He’s closed pretty well going seven-eighths.
“I like my post. Hopefully, there is a little pace to the race and I’ll sit right off of them and go from there.”
Principe Carlo, trained by Librado Boracio, was second to Cezanne in the Grade 2 San Carlos Stakes at seven furlongs at Santa Anita in March. Claimed for $20,000 in October 2020, Principe Carlo has since won 3 of 6 starts and earned $187,400. Victor Espinoza takes the mount for the first time on the 6-year-old who is expected to be part of the pace along with the Florida shipper Drain the Clock and Kentucky shipper Bagboss.
The Bing Crosby Stakes is the stakes debut for Bagboss, a winner of 3 of 8 starts, all for trainer Brendan Walsh. In his last two starts, Bagboss has won allowance races at Churchill Downs by at least 3 1/4 lengths. He set the pace on May 4 and closed from fourth in a field of 12 on June 12.
“He’s taken a long time to mature,” Walsh said from Kentucky on Thursday. “His last few runs, he’s really stepped up. We’ve taken gradual steps with him. I didn’t send him all the way out there for nothing. I think he’s legit.
“I don’t think we’ve seen the best of him yet.”
Umberto Rispoli rides Bagboss for the first time and is expected to have 4-year-old colt in a forward position.
“We’ll see how he breaks, but I think he’ll be up there,” Walsh said.
The Bing Crosby is the first start in three months for Letsgetlucky, who was second in a productive running of the Grade 3 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap at Oaklawn Park in April and is trained by Brian Koriner. Diamond Oops runs for the second time at the meet. He was third in a tough allowance race at 6 1/2 furlongs last Saturday.
The highly promising colt Shaaz is a $1.1 million purchase as a 2-year-old who has won 3 of 4 starts. Shaaz was third in the Grade 3 Steve Sexton Mile on May 30 at Lone Star Park as the 2-1 favorite.
Trained by Bob Baffert, Shaaz has worked quickly in recent weeks, often in company with Country Grammer, winner of the $12 million Dubai World Cup in March who starts Saturday at Del Mar in the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap.
Shaaz drew post 2 for the Bing Crosby, and Baffert said he would have preferred an outside post.
“He’s a big, beautiful horse and he has speed,” Baffert said. “The break is going to be so important.”