Rematch likely for Listenupshance, Maximum Bourbon in Santa Anita Sprint Championship
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DEL MAR, Calif. - Listenupshance and Maximum Bourbon, first and second in Saturday’s Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes at Del Mar, are likely to have a rematch in the Grade 2 Santa Anita Sprint Championship on Sept. 27.
Both 4-year-olds have the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Keeneland on Oct. 31 as a long-range goal.
Listenupshance, who won his first stakes in the $401,500 Bing Crosby in his fourth start at that level of competition, earned a fees-paid berth to the BC Sprint. He must be nominated to the Breeders’ Cup program at a cost of $100,000 to be eligible to start.
Trainer Doug O’Neill said on Sunday the fee will be paid closer to the BC Sprint.
Owned by Run Fast Racing and Great Friends Stables, Listenupshance disputed the early pace with Mad House in the Bing Crosby at six furlongs, led by 2 1/2 lengths with a furlong remaining and was fully extended to hold off Maximum Bourbon.
The Bing Crosby Stakes was Listenupshance’s first start since he finished third in a tough running of the Grade 3 True North Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs at Saratoga on June 6.
Listenupshance disputed the pace in the $400,000 True North and finished three-quarters of a length behind winner Book’em Danno, the champion male sprinter of 2025. Bentornato, winner of the 2025 BC Sprint at Del Mar, was second, a nose ahead of Listenupshcance.
O’Neill said on Sunday that the True North and Bing Crosby were similar performances for Listenupshance.
“I think he gave the same effort, but he had a clean break and had a perfect trip” on Saturday, O’Neill said. “There were good horses behind him.”
O’Neill described the $200,000 Santa Anita Sprint Championship as “probably the best spot,” for Listenupshance.
A gelding, Listenupshance raced in claiming races worth $20,000 or $25,000 for maidens last summer before he was acquired by O’Neill for Run Fast Racing. Listenupshance has since earned $411,560.
“It’s amazing,” O’Neill said. “The best part of this game is you don’t know where they’ll come from.”
At the end of 2025, Listenupshance won a $50,000 claimer at five furlongs on dirt at Del Mar.
Earlier this year, Listenupshance was second in the Palos Verdes Stakes and Grade 3 San Carlos Stakes on dirt before he finished third in an allowance race on turf on May 2.
Maximum Bourbon had his graded stakes debut in the Bing Crosby, preceded by a win in the $197,500 St. Matthews Stakes at six furlongs in his first start for current trainer Phil D’Amato.
Maximum Bourbon disputed the pace in the St. Matthews Stakes before drawing away to win by 5 3/4 lengths. In the Bing Crosby, he was fourth early and closed with a rush.
“He needed one more jump and we’re talking about a win,” D’Amato said. “I’m proud of that horse.”
Maximum Bourbon was purchased for $400,000 at the Fasig-Tipton digital sale in March. A gelding by Maximum Security, Maximum Bourbon races for Agave Racing Stable, Rocking Robin Racing Stables and Evan Trommer.
“We’ll point to the Santa Anita Sprint Championship and the Breeders’ Cup, hopefully,” D’Amato said.
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