Drefong returns in solid Bing Crosby field

DEL MAR, Calif. – Drefong, the 2016 champion sprinter, has not raced since winning the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Santa Anita last November.

For his comeback, Drefong could not have a more difficult assignment than Saturday’s Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes at six furlongs at Del Mar. He is one of seven stakes winners in an expected field of nine.

“He’s ready,” trainer Bob Baffert said. “I’m counting on his class.”

The $300,000 Bing Crosby Stakes has the best field of sprinters in California this year. Drefong’s nine rivals are led by Roy H, the runaway winner of the Grade 2 True North Stakes at six furlongs at Belmont Park on June 9. Roy H earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 111 in the True North, the highest of the year in a sprint.

“He’s come back a different horse since we gelded him and gave him some time off,” trainer Peter Miller said.

Drefong and Roy H must beat three horses who were stakes winners at Santa Anita earlier this year: Denman’s Call
(Grade 1 Triple Bend Stakes), Ransom the Moon (Grade 2 Kona Gold Stakes), and St. Joe Bay (Grade 2 Palos Verdes Stakes).

Big Macher, who won the 2015 Bing Crosby, was withdrawn Thursday because of a recurrence of a leg injury, trainer Richard Baltas said. Coastline was scratched in favor of a turf race on Sunday, trainer Phil D’Amato said.

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Drefong, by Gio Ponti
Last 3 Beyers: 103-103-103

◗ Drefong drew post 2, which stung Baffert. He fears Drefong could face too much pressure from the speedy St. Joe Bay in post 3.

“The post is a killer, with that other speed horse to the outside of us,” Baffert said.

◗ Owned by Susan and Charles Chu, Drefong, 4, has won five consecutive starts since the end of 2015. He was perfect in four starts last year, including the Grade 1 King’s Bishop Stakes for 3-year-olds at seven furlongs at Saratoga last August.

◗ Baffert considered taking Drefong to Dubai for the Golden Shaheen in March but opted for a campaign geared toward a return to the BC Sprint.

“Our goal is the Breeders’ Cup,” Baffert said. “He likes this track.”

Roy H, by More Than Ready
Last 3 Beyers: 111-106-91

◗ Roy H is unbeaten in three starts this year after he was given a break of more than eight months. A 5-year-old, Roy H returned to racing in April with a win in an optional claimer on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita. He later won an optional claimer at 6 1/2 furlongs on a wet-fast track on May 6, earning a Beyer Speed Figure of 106, before the authoritative win in the True North Stakes.

“If he runs back to his last two races, on speed figures, he wins,” Miller said.

◗ Roy H has won 4 of 14 starts in his career and has changed since being gelded. He will be a threat from off the pace.

“He had a lot of niggling issues as a 2- and 3-year-old,” Miller said. “He’s been very sound this year.”

St. Joe Bay, by Saint Anddan
Last 3 Beyers: 103-98-104

◗ St. Joe Bay, also trained by Miller, has not started since finishing fourth in the $2 million Golden Shaheen. St. Joe Bay was beaten 3 1/2 lengths by Mind Your Biscuits, one of the top sprinters on the East Coast.

◗ The loss in the Golden Shaheen ended a three-race winning streak for St. Joe Bay and was somewhat predictable. Miller said the trip to Dubai “took its toll” on St. Joe Bay.

“He tailed off toward the Dubai race,” Miller said. “When he came back, we gave him a rest.

“I kind of gave him a pass on that one, but he seems back to his old self.”