Del Mar: Comma to the Top will run in Bing Crosby

DEL MAR, Calif. – Trainer Peter Miller had the Grade 1 winner Comma to the Top entered in an optional claimer on Thursday, but scratched him in favor of a start in Sunday’s $300,000 Bing Crosby Stakes over six furlongs.

The Grade 1 Bing Crosby drew five, led by Amazombie, the champion sprinter of 2011, and The Factor, a five-time stakes winner. Comma to the Top is co-owned by Gary Barber, who also has a partnership share in Don Tito, another Bing Crosby entrant. Capital Account was also entered.

Comma to the Top won the Grade 1 CashCall Futurity at Hollywood Park in December 2010, but is winless in six subsequent stakes, including a 19th in the 2011 Kentucky Derby. Comma to the Top was third in the Robert Kerlan Memorial Handicap over six furlongs on turf at Hollywood Park on July 1.

“The way the [optional claimer] came up it’s like a Grade 2 or a Grade 3,” Miller said. “We’ll take a shot in the Bing Crosby.”

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