By: Michael Jordan, @mhjpicks
Here are my thoughts on the Grade 2 Bing Crosby at Del Mar, good luck!
Race 10 – Bing Crosby, Grade 1 (6 furlongs, dirt) for three year olds and upwards
Named for the iconic singer/songwriter of “Where the Turf Meets the Surf” and many other classics, this race has been run yearly since 1946. With the scratch of the presumed winner and morning line favorite McKinzie, this race is pretty evenly matched.
#1 Lexitonian – Has one graded race win (G3) back in 2019 and comes off a win at Churchill. Sisterson is an up and coming trainer with a solid horse here who has plenty of experience. One that is tough to back, but tough to leave out.
#2 Anyportinstorm – Has won half of the time he has entered a race (at second tier tracks) and finished in the money 15 of 16 times. Has never raced at Del Mar, but has a couple of decent works on the track. Bit of an enigma here on this one who is stepping up and it will be interesting to see how he handles the upgrade.
#3 Desert Law – Finished second in this race last year and has only one entry since then. Figures to have a decent set up pace wise and has enough speed to contend with this group.
#4 McKinzie – Scratch
#5 P R Radio Star – Scratch
#6 Fashionably Fast – Consistent runner who is 8 for his last 10. He ran second to McKinzie in his last race, a G2. Has been working well in preparation for this one and is the likely favorite based on his last performance.
#7 Law Abidin Citizen– Has a couple of graded wins on turf but has solid efforts on the dirt. Glatt is an excellent in sprints and has a good track record in graded stakes (22%). Comes off a bullet workout and is primed for an upset type of effort.
#8 Wildman Jack – Jack has never raced on dirt, interesting to make that first effort in a G1. He has talent, no doubt, with a solid angle in play for O’Neill with 16% turf to dirt. Worked a solid bullet last out on the dirt here so may not be too much of a stretch.
#9 Collusion Illusion – Won G3 last out, is 4/5 in his career. Glatt, as mentioned for #7 targets horses well. Has plenty of speed to sit just off the pace and make a move in the stretch
#10 Heartwood – This 6 year old is nearly a half a million dollar winner in a battle tested career with some graded stakes placings. Will put forth a great effort and will likely be a pace factor.
I’m going with #9 Collusion Illusion in this one, who is ready to go and while this is a G1 race, the competition is similar to a G3 which he won last out. A close second choice is #6 Fashionable Fast certainly has something to say about that having lost by only a length in a half to a quality horse in a race where the third place horse won next out. #7 Law Abidin Citizen is one to consider for an upset here.
Selections: 9-6-7