How to Bet the Bing Crosby

A well-matched field of nine will aim for an initial Grade 1 tally in Saturday’s $250,000 Bing Crosby (G1) at Del Mar.

Bing Crosby Analysis

The pace of the Bing Crosby will be swift and contested, with #1 Lexitonian, #2 Anyportinastorm, #6 Fashionably Fast, #8 Wildman Jack, and #10 Heartwood all showing speed leaving the gate. I expect the winner to rally from off the pace.

Bing Crosby Contenders

#1 LEXITONIAN -- Grade 3 winner toppled a nice field in a deep Churchill allowance in his latest performance. Speightstown colt faces a tall task in this spot, however, and he will need a perfect break from the gate to have a realistic chance. Drayden Van Dyke takes the call.

#2 ANYPORTINASTORM -- Consistently good Florida-bred makes a major class jump following a facile stakes triumph at Pleasanton. Blaine Wright trainee has won or placed in at least 10 straight, and he rates a top-three chance in his Del Mar debut with a forward move.

#3 DESERT LAW -- Desert Code gelding has run some big races on the Del Mar surface and was a close second in the race in 2019. Carla Gaines trainee had a decent prep for this event when third in the Thor’s Echo S. at Santa Anita, and he wouldn’t be a major surprise under Victor Espinoza.

#4 MCKINZIE -- Bob Baffert has announced he will scratch.

#5 P R RADIO STAR -- Upset swing was a sharp allowance winner on the course in his first off the claim for d’Amato. Warrior’s Reward gelding has come a long way since racing for a $12,500 tag earlier this season, and it’s his affinity for Del Mar that leads me in his direction. Bay zipped a bullet half-mile on the oval in advance of the race, and the price will be right with Gutierrez taking the reins.

#6 FASHIONABLY FAST -- Three-time local winner from the Pedersen barn is in fine form with eight consecutive top-two finishes, including four stakes victories. California-bred was a smart runner-up in the Triple Bend (G2) at Santa Anita most recently, and slight improvement will give the chestnut a big chance on Saturday.

#7 LAW ABIDIN CITIZEN -- Recent allowance victor is one of two signed on for Glatt. Dark bay Kentucky-bred has been sharp in 2020, but the Twirling Candy gelding will need better to challenge for the win beneath Cedillo.

#8 WILDMAN JACK -- Wildcard son of Goldencents makes his dirt debut after performing solely on the turf to this stage of his development. The 4-year-old will add pace to the field in his first run on the dirt under the guidance of Rispoli.

#9 COLLUSION ILLUSION -- Two-time graded stakes winner is 4-for-5 lifetime and has put in a pair of impressive runs this campaign. Bay possesses a powerful late kick, but he faces a big task facing his elders on Saturday. Flavien Prat will be up atop the classy colt.

#10 HEARTWOOD -- Capable, but inconsistent, Tapit 6-year-old draws widest in a tough field for Chapman. Gray would be a surprise in his Del Mar debut with Maldonado in the stirrups.

Bing Crosby Wagers

• $10 Win and Place: #5 P R Radio Star ($20)
• $1 Trifecta Key: 5 with 2,3,6,9 ($12)
• $2 Exacta: 2,3,6,9 with 5 ($8)