Dr. Venkman to go in Bing Crosby, dodging Nysos in San Diego
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DEL MAR, Calif. – Dr. Venkman won the $300,000 San Diego Handicap last summer at Del Mar for trainer Mark Glatt but will not be part of Saturday’s race. Instead, Dr. Venkman will start in the $400,000 Bing Crosby Stakes.
Glatt had a quick response Sunday as to why Dr. Venkman has been redirected to the Bing Crosby.
“One word – Nysos,” Glatt said. “That’s primarily the reason.”
Nysos, winner of the Grade 3 Triple Bend Stakes at seven furlongs by 5 1/2 lengths on May 31 at Santa Anita, will be a heavy favorite in the 1 1/16-mile San Diego Handicap for trainer Bob Baffert.
Glatt thinks Dr. Venkman has a better chance for a weekend win in the Bing Crosby.
“I think the six-furlong race is the better of the two races to try to win,” Glatt said.
Last summer, Dr. Venkman finished fourth by three lengths in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic at 1 1/4 miles at Del Mar, fading through the stretch.
“I think we found out that going a mile and a quarter last year that he has distance limitations,” Glatt said. “He is capable at two turns, maybe a flat mile. Maybe he caught a San Diego field that wasn’t the strongest.”
Glatt will start Judge Miller in the San Diego Handicap. Judge Miller finished sixth after a wide trip in the Hanshin Stakes at a mile on June 29 at Churchill Downs.
“We’ll give it a shot,” Glatt said.
Other candidates for the San Diego Handicap are Express Train, Midnight Mammoth, Mirahmadi, Tarantino, and possibly Stronghold.
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