Tipsheet: 2026 Bing Crosby Stakes
Cornucopian winning his debut at Oaklawn Park (Photo by Coady Media)
An especially fast field of nine will speed six panels on the Del Mar dirt in Saturday’s $400,000 Bing Crosby (G1).
Bing Crosby Handicap Picks
- #6 Cornucopian
- #2 Listenupshance
- #5 Stronghold
Bing Crosby Handicap Wagers
Bing Crosby Handicap Contenders
#1 MAXIMUM BOURBON: First or two from the D’Amato shedrow was a dominant winner of the St. Matthews S. at Churchill Downs in his first try for this outfit and has a high ceiling going forward. The gelded son of Maximum Security has run four big races in 2026 in advance of this and wouldn’t be a surprise in his Del Mar debut with Joel Rosario accepting the mount.
#2 LISTENUPSHANCE: Doug O’Neill trainee was a bit unlucky when a close third after a poor break in the deep True North (G2) at Saratoga last time out and is eligible to improve in this spot. Shancelot gelding has shown marked improvement with the blinkers coming off combined with a move to the main oval, and he is the inside speed of the race with Jaramillo in the saddle.
#3 DR. VENKMAN: Ghostzapper gelding is four-for-seven on this strip and was a smart third in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) here two starts prior. Mark Glatt pupil is a graded winner at Del Mar and will show vast improvement second time off the shelf from off the pace under Umberto Rispoli.
#4 FOR ALL MANKIND: Talented sort from the always dangerous Sadler shedrow owns a big turn of foot and comes off a close stakes second in his last showing. The Into Mischief gelding might be a cut below the top runners in this dash but might grab a minor share late if the pace falls apart. Armando Ayuso has the call.
#5 STRONGHOLD: Classy Grade-1 victor from the D’Amato barn has been very sharp in a pair of clear wins in 2026 and rates an obvious chance in his return to Del Mar. The bay son of Ghostzapper has run two big races from as many tries on the oval, and he might sit an ideal trip from the second flight in the early going, as well. Regular rider Antonio Fresu will be in the controls.
#6 CORNUCOPIAN: Top pick from the Baffert barn will make his first appearance at this venue and comes off a professional tally in the Aristides (G3) in Louisville last time out. The bay four-year-old has performed very well in all but one of his sprint races to date, and he draws well to give Juan Hernandez options in the early stages of the heat. The lightly-traced four-year-old colt will be a force in the latter stages of the heat.
#7 GOLD SWEEP: John Haran's charge will ship in for this heat in his local debut and would be a surprise in the tilt. The chestnut son of Speightstown is a stakes winner who ran third behind the top selection two back, but he will need a lifetime-best effort to take down this fine field. Mike Smith will take the reins.
#8 MAD HOUSE: Grade-2 winning son of Vekoma is something of an all-or-nothing proposition in the feature. The fleet four-year-old is very hard to pass when he clears early, and if the chestnut does so, then he will be a contender at a fair price with Sonny Leon coming out for the ride.
#9 MOONLIGHT: Audible five-year-old draws outside in the cast for her first run for trainer Peter Miller. Purchased for $250,000 earlier in the season, the gray is essentially a one-run closer cutting back in trip who will hope for a total pace meltdown to have a winning chance in this demanding spot. Victor Espinoza will be on board.
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