Del Mar Picks | Bing Crosby Stakes 2024 [Breeders’ Cup Sprint]

Aaron previews the 2024 Bing Crosby Stakes (G1) from Del Mar Thoroughbred Club & gives his top win pick from this “Win & You’re In” for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint.

Will the red-hot California-bred The Chosen Vron successfully defend his title against the likes of Jackstown, Closethegame Sugar, Straight No Chaser, & more?

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The press release:

Let’s take a look back on last year’s Del Mar summer meet champions and where they are now:

Arabian Knight – Horse of the Meet – Top 3-Year-Old: The winner of the G1 FanDuel Racing Pacific Classic went on to finish fourth in the B.C. Classic in November at Santa Anita and then head to the sidelines for a well-deserved freshening. The son of Uncle Mo has still not raced in 2024 but is expected to make his 4-year-old debut in the G2 San Diego on July 27.

Gold Phoenix – Top Older Horse and Top Grass Horse: He won both the G2 Eddie Read in July and the G2 Del Mar Handicap in September. He would go on to finish fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf before trainer Phil D’Amato gave him a brief freshening. The gelding returned in April and finished a disappointing ninth in the G3 American Stakes, but rebounded with a win in the G2 Charles Whittingham at Santa Anita in May. Gold Phoenix is being considered for a defense of his crown in the Eddie Read on July 28.

Adare Manor – Top Older Filly & Mare: Won the G1 Clement Hirsch in August. Following another victory in the G1 Zenyatta at Santa Anita in October she appeared primed to take on the big girls in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff but only managed a well-beaten seventh. The 5-year-old daughter of Uncle Mo has turned into a beast in 2024 winning the G1 Apple Blossom at Oaklawn Park in April and the G2 Santa Margarita at Santa Anita in May. Trainer Bob Baffert plans to bring back Adare Manor to defend her title in the Clement Hirsch August 3.

The Chosen Vron – Top Sprinter: The top Cal-bred of 2023 won the G1 Bing Crosby but didn’t fare nearly as well in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint finishing fifth. He would return to Del Mar in the fall and win the Cary Grant Stakes. The son of Vronsky has won all four of his races in 2024, all stakes, and has won 13 of his last 14 outings dating back to September of 2022. Look for the 6-year-old gelding to defend his title in the Bing Crosby July 27.

Anisette – Top 3-Year-Old Filly: She first served notice with a win in the G2 San Clemente on opening weekend and then put in a scintillating stretch run to win the G1 Del Mar Oaks in August. She was runner up to Grade 1 winner Didia in her next race, the G2 Rodeo Drive, prompting trainer Leonard Powell to skip the Breeders’ Cup. She scored another Grade I win in 2023, winning the American Oaks on opening day at Santa Anita. She made her 2024 debut on Memorial Day and won the G1 Gamely. Anisette is being pointed to the G2 Yellow Ribbon at Del Mar on August 10.

Prince of Monaco – Top 2-Year-Old: He won the G3 Best Pal in August and then posted a popular victory in the G1 Del Mar Futurity on closing day. The son of Speightstown ran a disappointing fifth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile in November and went on the shelf for the first half of 2024. He returned last month and ran a closing second to Book Em Danno in the G1 Woody Stephens on the Belmont Stakes undercard. Baffert says he’s pointing Prince of Monaco to the G1 H. Allen Jerkens at Saratoga August 24.

Tamara – Top 2-Year-Old Filly: She was arguably the most exciting prospect of the 2023 meet. The daughter of the Hall of Fame honored mare Beholder broke her maiden in August and then scored a six-length victory in the G1 Del Mar Debutante, prompting comparisons to her mother. But the filly has been battling shin issues since her seventh-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies and has yet to race in 2024. Trainer Richard Mandella is hoping to have the daughter of Bolt d’Oro back to the races sometime during the Del Mar meet.