How to bet with, and against, Shaaz in the Bing Crosby Stakes

A deep and well-matched field of 10 will go postward in Saturday’s $400,000 Bing Crosby S. (G1) at Del Mar. The six-furlong dash attracted a fine group that lacks a clear-cut favorite, making it an excellent betting opportunity.

Bob Baffert’s #2 Shaaz (7-2) is the narrow morning-line choice in the field. By Uncle Mo, the $1.1 million purchase has flashed ability throughout his four-race career and is training like a horse who is ready to run a lifetime-best on Saturday, firing bullets with three straight morning drills, including a rapid move on this surface most recently.

The Virginia-bred, who was a solid third in the Steve Sexton Mile (G3) at Lone Star in his latest venture, is 3-for-4 in his career and should appreciate the cut back in distance in this spot. The dark bay colt is swift but prefers to stalk the pace before putting in his best run late, and I expect him to sit a very good trip to the turn for home with Juan Hernandez in the stirrups.

There are numerous other options in the heat, including 2021 Woody Stephens S. (G1) hero #4 Drain the Clock (4-1). Conditioned by Saffie Joseph, the chestnut son of Maclean’s Music is winless this campaign from a trio of starts, but he has excuses for each and will improve in his second race since a decent effort in Dubai in March. The four-year-old put in a sizzling half-mile drill at Gulfstream Park most recently and could be the one to run down at the top of the lane beneath Drayden Van Dyke.

I really liked the third-place allowance run from old timer #8 Diamond Oops (12-1) on the course last weekend and love the aggressive placement in this contest on short rest, too. The Patrick Biancone trainee has a lot of back class, and it’s more than possible that his latest venture was solely a prep for Saturday. Ryan Curatolo will guide the gelded son of Lookin at Lucky.

#5 Principe Carlo (6-1) is a three-time local winner who has never been better. The Coil six-year-old has been first or second in five of his six performances since being claimed by his current connections, led by runner-up finishes in both the San Carlos S. (G2) and Triple Bend S. (G2) this season. Victor Espinoza will pilot the California-bred.

Shaaz – With

$5 trifecta key: 2 with 4,5,8 ($30)

.50-cent superfecta: 2 with 4,5,8 with 4,5,8 with all ($21)

Shaaz – Against

$10 win and place: #4 Drain the Clock ($20)

$5 exacta: 4 with 2,5,8 ($15)

$.50-cent trifecta box 2,4,5,8 ($12)