Bing Crosby Stakes Sings At Del Mar On July 26

Back in 1937, Bing Crosby opened a piece of heaven on earth down at old Del Mar. No one is quite sure if this crooning superstar realized he was creating a haven for the sport of Thoroughbred racing, but he likely had a pretty good idea this seaside oval would flourish. In fitting fashion, one of the top races of the summer meet is named in his honor. Garnering grade 1 status and offering a Breeders’ Cup Sprint berth to the winner, this six-furlong dash over the Del Mar dirt has long provided season highlights and this year’s edition looks to be more of the same. The 2025 Bing Crosby offers up a talented nine horse field that will have somebody singing at the end. Let’s take a look at the entrants and provide a thought on each. Runners are listed by post position with trainer, jockey, and morning line.

1 Crazy Mason (Greg Sacco, Christopher Elliot 6-1 ) -Shipping from the East Coast, this son of Coal Front has won three of four starts this year. Two starts back he won the Carter Stakes at Aqueduct. Would it be Crazy to think he could ship and win??? His closing style could have him there at the end considering the front-end speed in the race.

2 Dr. Venkman (Mark Glatt, Antonio Fresu 4-1 )-This son of Ghostzapper has three wins and four seconds in eight lifetime starts. He has been the bridesmaid in both stats this year, but we think he is the one here. A stalking trip might just provide that trip to the circle.

3 Hejazi (Bob Baffert, Juan Hernandez 7-2 )- Nobody has won more Stakes races at Del Mar than Bob Baffert. He is not likely to add to that total here, but this New York-bred son of Bernardini can impact the race by contesting the early pace. Hejazi has two career wins, but has been in the money in eight of ten lifetime starts.

4 Smooth Crusein (Karen Headley, Kyle Frey 20-1 )- This three-year-old Florida-bred will be stepping up in class here. He ran against older horses in his last start and finished third in a four horse field at Santa Anita. This is a big ask for this son of Girvin and he can only hope for a Smooth trip.

5 World Record (Rodolphe Brisset, Flavien Prat 3-1 )- The speed of the speed in this one. Insanely fast early, his last two wins saw him on the lead with opening quarter miles that were 21 and change. If they leave this son of Gun Runner alone on the lead it will be over early.

6 Roll on Big Joe (Robert Hess, Julien Leparoux 6-1 )- Grandson of Victory Gallop has four wins in five starts this year and was quite impressive in winning the grade 3 Kelly’s Landing at Churchill Downs in his last start. In the money in fourteen of eighteen lifetime starts but has only managed one second in three starts at Del Mar.

7 Mbagnick (John Sadler, Armando Ayuso 5-1 )- After we figure out how to say this Chilean-bred’s name we will decide if he has a real shot. John Sadler has saddled many winners at Del Mar, and this son of Practical Joke took’em gate to wire in winning his last start at this same distance on June 13.

8 Spirit of Makena (George Papapodromo, Abel Cedillo 20-1 )-This son of Ghostzapper won four of his first five career starts including two stakes victories. Injury sidelined him all of 2024 and he has a third-place finish in two starts this year but is winless since May of 2023. Coming back off such a layoff takes a lot of Spirit. The Bing and this field is a big asking.

9 Lovesick Blues (Librado Baracio, Geovani Franco 20-1 )-This California-bred is the veteran of the group with forty lifetime starts. Always a hard-knocker, this son of Grazen has been in the top three twenty-six times with eight wins. Although not likely to win, he is a horse that can be there at the end and pump up the exotic payouts.