The Crosby Stakes Grade 1 (BC)

6 Furlongs on Dirt
Purse $400.00 For Three Year Olds And Upward
Del Mar Racecourse Del Mar, California

-With $400 and a Breeder’s Cup entry on the line, you kind of knew what this race would look like before even opening up the form. To say that it’s tough would be quite an understatement. Being stationed in southern California myself, I can tell you that it’s been hot and getting hotter. Unusual east coast type humidity for a while now and temperatures rising daily, so expect a rock hard surface no matter what anybody tells you. Impossible to water and harrow the track deep enough to be anything but lightning. With that said, this sprint will come down to who breaks and who feels best in all likelihood, because the slightest trouble will end the day immediately. Creepy Romantic from Maxmillion Farm ran second on this track in last years Breeders Cup Sprint and has no problem pressing right up against the pace or relaxing slightly off of it, giving his pilot options in a race where the afterburners will have to be turned on at just the right time. The barn brings in the same rider who won on him last time and is obviously pulling out all the stops for this event. Beat him to collect. Superbush from Acber Farms will appreciate the distance as he cuts back to a straight six furlongs. If he breaks alertly he will buzz saw most others vying for the front. His gate consistency has been hit and miss throughout his career and he certainly can’t afford anything but his very best in this spot. Gold from Spankys Barn should be a big price in here given the context of the race, but don’t just toss out too quickly. A resurgent claimer who has called several trainers boss, this guy has never been better and his current conditioner has a strong lifetime record with sprinters. Possibly one of the best Breeders Cup records of any barn of his size, Spanky’s runners usually are over achievers. He will need a ton of luck, but if he get’s it he will be exploding late. Indiscretion from John Henry is a six year old pro who broke poorly last time and exposed a solid closing kick in the process while traversing a half length further than this distance. This isn’t exactly a place to get cute, but I wouldn’t be shocked if this usual speed horse takes back a little and try’s to replicate that last run, as there is plenty of other speed to push the proceedings along.

Of The Rest;

Exploration Bay from Mb Stables is hard to gauge here. Seems to have improved since the purchase and the three triple digit numbers really stand that point out. This is obviously tougher than the grade three he exits, but a repeat of that number fits big.

Chilled Niagra, also from Maxmillion Farm has hit back-to-back triple digit numbers going this distance and he tried to put away his stablemate entered here in the process. This is tougher, but he is sharp and has a shot on his best.

Only Way Is Up from The Sidley Stud defiantly wants this trip and ran second across town in Arcadia doing this in February. Solid type, but maybe a touch below the top ones here. Needs best effort to play ball for sure.

I Want It All from Luz International ran a big one at Laurel in his last and a repeat effort might put him in the hunt. He will need even a touch more in this spot and the jockey engagement is a strange one to say the least. Although the human connection angles can usually be baffling unless you are really in the know.

Electric from Angelos Stable is an eight year old pro who just keeps firing when asked to dance. Tough, and is obviously no stranger to this particular song, but at age eight and with the eleven hole, a minor prize might be his ceiling.

Stumble, also from Mb Stables shows three straight numbers in triple digits, however they were all while traversing two-turns. He obviously won’t be short, but he might also be a little flat footed if everybody else gets sharp breaks and the traffic congestion should rival anything seen at rush hour in Los Angeles or New York city.

Bronze Crown from TwinTowers Racing is a five year old horse with a state-bred maiden victory, a first level allowance win and a recent two length public workout type victory in a four horse field of state-bred optional claimers. He draws the rail against some of the fastest sprinters in training. Can’t see him enjoying the proceedings much.

-Trackman

Categories: Grade I, STAKES ARTICLES