How to bet the 2021 Bing Crosby Stakes

A superb cast of nine one-turn specialists will contest the highlight of the Saturday card at Del Mar in the $300,000 Bing Crosby S. (G1). The six-furlong heat features numerous legitimate win threats that I could make a case for, but it’s hard for me to look past dual Grade 2 victor #3 C Z Rocket.

Claimed by Peter Miller in April of 2020, the son of City Zip has been consistently excellent since joining this shedrow. The gelding has been first or second in each of his last nine outings in preparation for Saturday, which includes a win in the Pat O’Brien S. (G2) in his lone prior appearance at Del Mar.

The Florida-bred, who finished second in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) in the fall, gets a pass for his loss going one mile at Lone Star Park most recently as he is better at shorter distances. He has won four of his last five races at the six-furlong trip, and C Z Rocket might get a perfect pace scenario in front of him on Saturday.

There is an abundance of early gas in the Bing Crosby, which will aid the substantial late kick that the seven-year-old possesses. I expect Florent Geroux to take the top pick back in the early stages before unleashing him approaching the turn for home.

Trainer Mark Glatt has a trio of talented contenders in the field, including defending champ #6 Collusion Illusion. Bred in the Sunshine State, the four-year-old son of Twirling Candy is unblemished from three races on the surface and has trained in solid fashion for his 2021 debut. The bay has run well off the bench in the past, and he is another who will benefit from a fast and contested pace in the event. Tyler Baze will guide the bay colt and have him well off the tempo in the early stages.

2020 Del Mar Futurity (G1) star #8 Dr. Schivel and San Carlos S. (G2) romper #9 Brickyard Ride, are two others that I will dabble with in the exotics.

Bing Crosby Wagers

• $30 exacta 3 with 6 ($30)
• $10 exacta 3 with 8,9 ($20)
• 50-cent superfecta 3 with 6,8,9 with 6,8,9 with all ($18)