Masochistic among speedsters in Bing Crosby

DEL MAR, Calif. – The fastest guns in the West are set for a shootout Sunday at Del Mar, where Masochistic, Distinctiv Passion, and Kobe’s Back are scheduled to compete in the Grade 1, $300,000 Bing Crosby Stakes.

The six-furlong Crosby, named for Del Mar’s co-founder, offers a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Sprint through the Win and You’re In program.

Masochistic will be favored, having won all three of his starts this year, including the Grade 1 Triple Bend at Santa Anita last time out June 27. His trainer, Ron Ellis, said the plan is to run once at this meet, and that the Crosby is more appealing than the Grade 2, $250,000 Pat O’Brien going seven furlongs Aug. 22.

“I want to run in this race and then sit on him until the fall race at Santa Anita,” Ellis said, referring to the Santa Anita Sprint Championship, which serves as the West Coast’s final major prep for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Keeneland on Oct. 31.

In addition to Distinctiv Passion, Kobe’s Back, and Masochistic, the Crosby is expected to include Caminetto and Wild Dude.

Also on Sunday is the $150,000 California Dreamin’ Handicap for older California-breds at 1 1/16 miles on turf. Awesome Return, G. G. Ryder, Poshsky, Rock Me Baby, and Weewinnin are among those expected for the race.

Rock Me Baby worked six furlongs in 1:14.40 on Tuesday.