Roy H ends four-month hiatus in Bing Crosby

DEL MAR, Calif. – Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux enjoyed one of his easiest wins in recent memory aboard Roy H in the Grade 2 Palos Verdes Stakes at Santa Anita in February.

“It was an armchair ride,” Desormeaux said. “I was watching TV, like the fans.”

Roy H won the Palos Verdes by 3 1/2 lengths, and was so far in front that Desormeaux peeked at the infield television later in the race.

Del Mar has a massive television on its infield, too. If Roy H returns to his championship form, Desormeaux could enjoy the final strides of Saturday’s Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes in the same manner.

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Owned by Rockingham Ranch and David Bernsen and trained by Peter Miller, Roy H will start for the first time in four months in the $300,000 Bing Crosby. In his last start Roy H was third in the Group 1 Golden Shaheen Stakes for sprinters in Dubai on March 31.

The layoff was planned, a way to have Roy H fit for the second half of the year and a potential start in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Churchill Downs on Nov. 3. Roy H won the BC Sprint at Del Mar last November. The winner of the Bing Crosby, at six furlongs, receives a fees-paid berth to the BC Sprint.

KEY CONTENDERS

Roy H, by More Than Ready
Beyers: NA-105-111

◗ The Palos Verdes and Golden Shaheen are Roy H’s only starts this year. In the Golden Shaheen, Roy H broke slowly and closed well to finish three-quarters of a length behind winner Mind Your Biscuits in an all-American sweep of the trifecta.

◗ In recent weeks, Roy H has worked steadily at Santa Anita and Del Mar, often with Desormeaux aboard.

“He’s very energetic,” Desormeaux said. “I’ve been trying the whole time to slow him down.”

◗ Roy H was second in the 2017 Bing Crosby, but had a dreadful trip after being carried wide on the turn by a loose horse.

American Anthem, by Bodemeister
Last 3 Beyers: 105-102-99

◗ American Anthem won his third stakes, and first against older horses, in the Grade 2 San Carlos Stakes at seven furlongs at Santa Anita on June 23. American Anthem was always near the front and held off a sustained challenge from St. Joe’s Bay to win by a head. St. Joe’s Bay is expected to set the pace in the Bing Crosby.

◗ All three of American Anthem’s wins have been at seven furlongs, giving trainer Bob Baffert a slight concern about Saturday’s race. American Anthem could appear in the Grade 2 Pat O’Brien Stakes at seven furlongs here Aug. 25.

“We like seven better,” Baffert said. “It’s a Grade 1 and we have to take a shot. He can come back in the seven-eighths.”

Ransom the Moon, by Malibu Moon
Last 3 Beyers: 97-100-102

◗ Ransom the Moon won the 2017 Bing Crosby and is winless in four subsequent starts, including a second in the Grade 2 Kona Gold Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs at Santa Anita on April 21 in his first start of the year and a fifth in the Grade 1 Metropolitan Mile Handicap at Belmont Park on June 9.

“Those were some of the best horses in the country,” trainer Phil D’Amato said. “He’s more effective in the six- to seven-furlong range.”

◗ In the Kona Gold, Ransom the Moon was fanned wide by a rival and finished 1 1/4 lengths behind Bobby Abu Dhabi.

“He took the worst of it,” D’Amato said. “I thought had that not happened we win the race.”

American Pastime, by Tapizar
Last 3 Beyers: 102-105-96

◗ The Bing Crosby will be the first start for American Pastime since a fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint last November. American Pastime was given a rest over the winter to recover from bone bruising in his front feet, trainer Bob Hess Jr. said last weekend.