Masochistic at top of his game for Bing Crosby
DEL MAR, Calif. – Exceptional performances have become common for Masochistic this year. Unbeaten in three 2015 starts, Masochistic won graded stakes in April and June at Santa Anita in consecutive starts to become the leader of the California sprint division. Those wins will make Masochistic a heavy favorite to win Sunday’s $300,000 Bing Crosby Stakes at six furlongs at Del Mar.
Masochistic won the Grade 1 Triple Bend Stakes at seven furlongs by 3 1/2 lengths on June 27, his most recent start.
“His last race was the most impressive,” trainer Ron Ellis said. “The way he did it was pretty incredible.”
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The Bing Crosby drew a field of six, including the speedy Distinctiv Passion, who won the Grade 3 Los Angeles Stakes at six furlongs by a neck May 25. Distinctiv Passion is expected to fight for the lead with Masochistic in the Bing Crosby, although Ellis said jockey Tyler Baze might track his rival.
“Distinctiv Passion is a good horse,” Ellis said. “If he goes 21 and change, I hope my horse can rate a length or two behind. If Distinctiv Passion gets an easy lead, he’ll be tough.”
The Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes is part of the Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In program, offering a fees-paid berth to the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Keeneland on Oct. 31 to the winner.
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Ellis said the Bing Crosby will be Masochistic’s second-to-last race before the BC Sprint, with the $300,000 Santa Anita Sprint Championship on Oct. 3 under consideration for his final prep.
“This is a big race for us,” he said. “I can give him a bit of time after this and wait for the Santa Anita Sprint.”
KEY CONTENDERS
Masochistic (Last 3 Beyers: 109-102-99)
◗ Masochistic joined Ellis’s stable in March after an ownership share in the 5-year-old gelding was acquired by Samantha Siegel, one of Ellis’s leading clients.
◗ Masochistic won his debut for Ellis in the Grade 2 Kona Gold Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs on April 11, fighting for the lead throughout. In the Triple Bend, Masochistic dueled for the lead before taking it in early stretch.
Distinctiv Passion (Last 3 Beyers: 99-101-87)
◗ The Los Angeles Stakes was Distinctiv Passion’s first start since a 13th in the $1 million Al Quoz Sprint at five furlongs on turf in Dubai in March. Trainer Jeff Bonde said the 5-year-old did not handle the surface.
◗ In the Los Angeles Stakes, Distinctiv Passion was not challenged early and led by three lengths on the turn. He held off a late run from San Onofre.
“The horse’s last race was a big race,” Bonde said. “He’s been a fun horse for us. The only bad race he’s run was in Dubai.”
Kobe’s Back (Last 3 Beyers: 90-99-94)
◗ Kobe’s Back won the Grade 3 Commonwealth Stakes at seven furlongs on April 4 at Keeneland but was no factor in the $1.25 million Metropolitan Mile Handicap at Belmont Park on June 6, finishing sixth of 10 as a 20-1 outsider.
◗ Kobe’s Back drew the rail in the Bing Crosby Stakes and will be off the pace in the first quarter-mile.
“They’ll run away early from him,” trainer Peter Eurton said.
◗ Eurton said the Bing Crosby and the $250,000 Pat O’Brien Stakes at seven furlongs Aug. 22 are summer goals for Kobe’s Back, noting that the competition might be easier in the O’Brien Stakes.
“It would be nice to win one,” Eurton said. “Masochistic – when he’s right, he’s tough to catch.”