How to Watch the 2026 Bing Crosby Stakes Schedule, Date, Field Odds, Past Winners, and Expert Analysis
2026 Bing Crosby Stakes Ultimate Betting Guide
Horse racing enthusiasts and savvy bettors across the globe are turning their attention to Del Mar’s iconic “Where the Turf Meets the Surf” meeting for one of the summer’s premier dirt sprints. The Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes stands as a focal point of Southern California’s summer racing calendar, serving as an automatic “Win, and You’re In” qualifier for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. Racing fans can watch live coverage of the 2026 Bing Crosby Stakes on NBC, as well as through our racebook.
If you prefer streaming the action on your mobile device, smart TV, or desktop computer, top online betting portals offer crystal-clear HD livestreams for active account holders. To watch the race live, log into your wagering account, navigate to the Del Mar racecard, and select the video stream option prior to post time. Signing up for an account takes under two minutes, giving you instant access to race streams, real-time telemetry, up-to-second morning line adjustments, and competitive Bing Crosby Stakes odds right from your screen.
Race Schedule, Date, and Expected Del Mar Weather
Mark your calendars for Saturday, July 25, 2026. The Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes anchors an action-packed Saturday card at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar, California. Gates open early at 11:30 AM Pacific Time (PT), with first post scheduled for 2:00 PM PT. The Bing Crosby Stakes typically runs as Race 9 or Race 10 on the program, with an estimated post time of 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET).
Weather conditions in coastal North County San Diego play a vital role in track surface behavior at Del Mar. Forecasts for Saturday call for ideal coastal sunshine with temperatures reaching an afternoon high of 75°F (24°C). Mild westerly sea breezes averaging 8 to 12 mph will sweep off the Pacific Ocean throughout the afternoon. Del Mar’s main dirt track should remain fast, uniform, and tight throughout the program. Mild, dry weather creates a predictable surface where tactical speed thrives, and rail runners hold a slight edge around the sharp single turn of this six-furlong test.
Summer at Del Mar: Complete Racecard Weekend Analysis
The Bing Crosby Stakes weekend serves as a cornerstone of Del Mar’s prestigious summer meet, featuring a high-stakes, multi-stakes program that draws elite thoroughbreds from across North America. Across the Friday-through-Sunday race cards, field sizes expand, bringing deep value to exotic pools like the Pick 4, Pick 5, and the Pick 6. Handicappers who examine the broader weekend context quickly recognize that Del Mar’s dirt surface rewards fast starters early in the card, but mid-pack stalkers gain ground as the surface dries out late in the afternoon.
Saturday’s supporting feature races create massive wagering pools that complement the main event. Turf features on the Del Mar lawn provide high-volume turf racing that sets up massive multi-race guaranteed pools. Bettors looking to leverage their bankrolls during Bing Crosby weekend should analyze early track biases during Races 1 through 5. If front-runners are wire-stitching fields on the dirt, speed horses in the Bing Crosby gain immediate upgrade status. Conversely, if high-volume pace duels collapse early on the card, off-the-pace closers become high-value targets for your Bing Crosby Stakes betting tickets.
Understanding the 2026 Bing Crosby Stakes Odds and Betting Market
The morning line odds for the 2026 Bing Crosby Stakes present exceptional value across the nine-horse field. Because the Bing Crosby carries Grade 1 prestige and a direct ticket to the Breeders’ Cup, trainers bring their sharpest speedsters to the beach. The betting market opens with Bob Baffert’s Cornucopian as the morning line favorite at 3/1, closely shadowed by Philip D’Amato’s Maximum Bourbon at 7/2, Mark Glatt’s Dr. Venkman at 4/1, and classic winner Stronghold at 4/1.
| P# | Horse | V/S | A/S | Jockey | Weight (lbs.) | Trainer | M/L Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maximum Bourbon | KY | 4/G | Joel Rosario | 122 | Philip D’Amato | 7/2 |
| 2 | Listenupshance | KY | 4/G | Emisael Jaramillo | 122 | Doug F. O’Neill | 8/1 |
| 3 | Dr. Venkman | KY | 6/G | Umberto Rispoli | 122 | Mark Glatt | 4/1 |
| 4 | For All Mankind | KY | 7/G | Armando Ayuso | 122 | John W. Sadler | 12/1 |
| 5 | Stronghold | KY | 5/H | Antonio Fresu | 122 | Philip D’Amato | 4/1 |
| 6 | Cornucopian | KY | 4/C | Juan J. Hernandez | 122 | Bob Baffert | 3/1 |
| 7 | Gold Sweep | KY | 5/H | Mike E. Smith | 122 | James Haran | 15/1 |
| 8 | Mad House | FL | 4/G | Sonny Leon | 122 | David VanWinkle | 12/1 |
| 9 | Moonlight | KY | 5/H | Victor Espinoza | 122 | Peter Miller | 20/1 |
When comparing Bing Crosby Stakes odds, smart handicappers pay close attention to late pool shifts during the final ten minutes before post time. Southern California dirt sprints often produce sharp price movements when key jockeys like Joel Rosario, Umberto Rispoli, or Juan Hernandez command heavy public backing. Aligning your bets with morning line market inefficiencies creates profitable opportunities on mid-tier contenders like Listenupshance (8/1) or longshot closers like For All Mankind (12/1).
Official Field Analysis: Contenders, Trainers, and Jockeys
Every horse entering the gate on Saturday brings a unique pedigree and tactical running style to this six-furlong sprint. Examining trainer records at Del Mar and jockey win percentages over the dirt track provides critical context for constructing winning tickets.
Post 1: Maximum Bourbon (KY)
- Age/Sex: 4-year-old Gelding
- Trainer: Philip D’Amato
- Jockey: Joel Rosario
- Weight: 122 lbs.
- Morning Line Odds: 7/2
Maximum Bourbon draws the dangerous inside rail post position for trainer Philip D’Amato. Joel Rosario takes the reins, bringing world-class patient riding to a gelding that possesses explosive turn-of-foot. Drawing Post 1 requires Rosario to make a quick decision out of the gate: break aggressively to secure early positioning along the rail, or ease back to avoid getting pinned behind a contested front-running duel. Maximum Bourbon’s current workout pattern shows rapid five-furlong drills at Santa Anita, proving he enters this Grade 1 contest in peak physical form. At 7/2 on the morning line, Maximum Bourbon represents one of the primary win candidates to reassure his place on current Bing Crosby Stakes odds boards.
Post 2: Listenupshance (KY)
- Age/Sex: 4-year-old Gelding
- Trainer: Doug F. O’Neill
- Jockey: Emisael Jaramillo
- Weight: 122 lbs.
- Morning Line Odds: 8/1
Doug O’Neill saddles Listenupshance, an intriguing 4-year-old gelding with proven tactical speed. Florida-based jockey Emisael Jaramillo travels West to guide this contender, bringing aggressive front-running intent to the starting gate. Listenupshance broke his maiden and progressed through allowance conditions with wire-to-wire victories, showing the ability to withstand heavy pressure around the far turn. Inside positions at Del Mar can favor horses that show early foot, and Jaramillo will likely push Listenupshance directly toward the lead out of Post 2. If he establishes a comfortable rhythm along the backstretch, Listenupshance offers excellent overlay value for Bing Crosby Stakes betting exotic plays.
Post 3: Dr. Venkman (KY)
- Age/Sex: 6-year-old Gelding
- Trainer: Mark Glatt
- Jockey: Umberto Rispoli
- Weight: 122 lbs.
- Morning Line Odds: 4/1
Mark Glatt trains Dr. Venkman, a veteran 6-year-old gelding that loves Del Mar’s main track. California fan favorite Umberto Rispoli gets the mount, combining tactical expertise with precise timing. Dr. Venkman possesses a versatile running style, capable of pressing dynamic paces or sitting just off the leaders in third or fourth position. His sharp closing kick around the top of the stretch fits Del Mar’s six-furlong geometry perfectly. Rispoli’s familiarity with track bias will prove invaluable as he positions Dr. Venkman just behind the early speed demons before launching a furious rally down the lane.
Post 4: For All Mankind (KY)
- Age/Sex: 7-year-old Gelding
- Trainer: John W. Sadler
- Jockey: Armando Ayuso
- Weight: 122 lbs.
- Morning Line Odds: 12/1
John Sadler brings 7-year-old veteran For All Mankind into the Bing Crosby looking for an upset victory. Rider Armando Ayuso gets the assignment aboard this deep closer. Sadler excels at prepping mature sprinters for major Del Mar stakes events, and For All Mankind boasts extensive experience against top-tier graded stakes competition. While his lack of early foot forces him to settle toward the rear of the field, a scorching pace up front could set up his signature late surge. At 12/1 odds, For All Mankind serves as an appealing candidate to complete high-paying Trifecta and Superfecta combinations.
Post 5: Stronghold (KY)
- Age/Sex: 5-year-old Horse
- Trainer: Philip D’Amato
- Jockey: Antonio Fresu
- Weight: 122 lbs.
- Morning Line Odds: 4/1
Philip D’Amato’s second entrant, Stronghold, adds immense class and intrigue to the lineup. Ridden by top Southern California jockey Antonio Fresu, Stronghold enters the sprint division after competing in major middle-distance routes throughout his campaign. Cutting back from two-turn routes to a six-furlong sprint requires tremendous speed, but Stronghold possesses the raw natural engine required to make this transition seamlessly. Fresu will likely draft behind the front-runners from Post 5, allowing Stronghold to use his stamina and class to overpower tiring sprinters in the final furlong.
Post 6: Cornucopian (KY)
- Age/Sex: 4-year-old Colt
- Trainer: Bob Baffert
- Jockey: Juan J. Hernandez
- Weight: 122 lbs.
- Morning Line Odds: 3/1
Bob Baffert saddles the morning line favorite, Cornucopian, with Southern California’s leading jockey Juan Hernandez in the irons. Cornucopian enters the gate with standard-setting speed figures, having dominated allowance and stakes company with blinding early foot. Baffert’s sprinters always perform at peak levels at Del Mar, and Cornucopian’s outside draw in Post 6 provides Hernandez complete tactical freedom. Hernandez can either press the early pace set by Listenupshance or take command outright entering the backstretch. As the morning line favorite on Bing Crosby Stakes odds sheets, Cornucopian sets the benchmark every other contender must beat.
Post 7: Gold Sweep (KY)
- Age/Sex: 5-year-old Horse
- Trainer: James Haran
- Jockey: Mike E. Smith
- Weight: 122 lbs.
- Morning Line Odds: 15/1
Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith climbs aboard Gold Sweep for trainer James Haran. Gold Sweep is a resilient 5-year-old horse that specializes in late-closing sprint trips. Smith’s legendary experience in high-stakes Grade 1 events makes Gold Sweep a dangerous longshot if the pace up front dissolves into a heated duel. Starting from Post 7, Smith can drop back comfortably, save ground along the turn, and swing wide in the stretch to launch a clear closing run. Bettors searching for longshot value on their tickets should keep Gold Sweep on their radar.
Post 8: Mad House (FL)
- Age/Sex: 4-year-old Gelding
- Trainer: David VanWinkle
- Jockey: Sonny Leon
- Weight: 122 lbs.
- Morning Line Odds: 12/1
David VanWinkle sends out Florida-bred gelding Mad House, bringing Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Sonny Leon out West to ride. Mad House brings solid out-of-town sprint form, demonstrating consistent early speed and grit in tight stretch duels. Outer post draws like Post 8 allow Leon to keep Mad House clear of inside traffic around the turn, setting up a clear run into the stretch. If Mad House adapts quickly to Del Mar’s surface, his 12/1 morning line price presents significant upside for exotic players.
Post 9: Moonlight (KY)
- Age/Sex: 5-year-old Horse
- Trainer: Peter Miller
- Jockey: Victor Espinoza
- Weight: 122 lbs.
- Morning Line Odds: 20/1
Del Mar sprint master Peter Miller saddles Moonlight from the far outside post position, with Hall of Fame jockey Victor Espinoza aboard. Miller has dominated Del Mar sprint stakes for over a decade, making any runner from his barn worth serious consideration regardless of the odds. Espinoza will break from Post 9 with a clear view of the entire field, allowing him to stalk the pace dynamic before calling on Moonlight for his finish. At 20/1, Moonlight offers the highest potential payout on current Bing Crosby Stakes odds screens.
In-Depth Horse-by-Horse Handicapping Analysis
To formulate a winning strategy when you bet on Bing Crosby Stakes action, you must analyze how pace scenarios interact with each contender’s running style. Del Mar’s six-furlong dirt course features a short run to the far turn, making early positioning critical.
| Fast Pacemakers | Tactical Stalkers | Closing Surgers |
|---|---|---|
| Listenupshance (Post 2) | Maximum Bourbon (Post 1) | For All Mankind (Post 4) |
| Cornucopian (Post 6) | Dr. Venkman (Post 3) | Gold Sweep (Post 7) |
| Mad House (Post 8) | Stronghold (Post 5) | Moonlight (Post 9) |
- The Speed Duels: Listenupshance (Post 2) and Cornucopian (Post 6) possess pure front-running speed. If Jaramillo and Hernandez engage in a relentless duel through a blistering 21.80-second first quarter-mile, they risk exhausting each other before reaching the quarter pole. However, if Cornucopian clears Listenupshance easily, Baffert’s colt could wire the field effortlessly.
- The Stalkers’ Sweet Spot: Maximum Bourbon (Post 1), Dr. Venkman (Post 3), and Stronghold (Post 5) sit in prime striking positions. Rispoli on Dr. Venkman and Rosario on Maximum Bourbon excel at tracking fast paces before pouncing at the top of the stretch. Stronghold provides class off the bench; if his raw speed translates to six furlongs, his stamina will carry him past weakening sprinters.
- The Late Closers: For All Mankind (Post 4), Gold Sweep (Post 7), and Moonlight (Post 9) rely heavily on a collapsed front-end pace. If the front-runners set suicidal early fractions, Mike Smith on Gold Sweep and Armando Ayuso on For All Mankind will make sweeping runs down the center of the lane.
Analyzing these pace match-ups gives sharp handicappers a decisive edge when placing real-money wagers on Bing Crosby Stakes betting markets.
Historical Trends and Past Winners of the Bing Crosby Stakes
Understanding historical race trends provides valuable guidance when evaluating Bing Crosby Stakes odds. Over the past two decades, the Bing Crosby Stakes has produced thrilling finishes, champion sprinters, and legendary upset stories.
| Year | Winning Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Winning Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | The Chosen Vron | Hector I. Berrios | Eric Kruljac | 1:08.92 |
| 2024 | The Chosen Vron | Hector I. Berrios | Eric Kruljac | 1:08.43 |
| 2023 | The Chosen Vron | Hector I. Berrios | Eric Kruljac | 1:09.24 |
| 2022 | American Theorem | Joe Bravo | George Papaprodromou | 1:08.67 |
| 2021 | Dr. Schivel | Flavien Prat | Mark Glatt | 1:09.44 |
| 2020 | Collusion Illusion | Flavien Prat | Mark Glatt | 1:08.88 |
| 2019 | Cistron | Victor Espinoza | John Sadler | 1:09.95 |
| 2018 | Ransom the Moon | Flavien Prat | Richard Mandella | 1:09.38 |
Key historical trends to consider for Saturday’s running include:
- Southern California Form Rules: 8 of the last 10 winners were based full-time in California, proving that local track experience at Del Mar or Santa Anita matters significantly.
- Tactical Speed Advantage: While pure speed wins races, horses sitting within 3 lengths of the lead at the quarter pole have won 70% of the last 10 renewals.
- Glatt and Sadler Mastery: Trainers Mark Glatt (Dr. Venkman) and John Sadler (For All Mankind) have repeatedly won high-level Del Mar sprint stakes, making their entries auto-includes on exotic tickets.
- Age Preference: 4-year-olds and 5-year-olds have dominated recent editions, winning 8 of the last 10 runnings over older veterans.
Expert Handicapping Strategy and Best Bets
When preparing your tickets for Saturday’s card, structuring your wagers around solid race scenarios maximizes profitability. Here is our expert strategy breakdown for the 2026 Bing Crosby Stakes:
- Top Win Pick: Dr. Venkman (4/1)
Dr. Venkman offers the ultimate combination of local track affinity, ideal tactical positioning, and top-tier jockey talent in Umberto Rispoli. Sitting comfortably behind the pace set by Cornucopian and Listenupshance, Dr. Venkman should get the jump on the deep closers and strike first down the lane.
- Primary Threat: Cornucopian (3/1)
Bob Baffert’s colt possesses immense speed and talent. If Juan Hernandez grabs an uncontested lead along the backstretch, Cornucopian will be extremely difficult to run down in the final sixteenth of a mile.
- Best Value Overlay: Stronghold (4/1)
Class wins Grade 1 races. Stronghold drops back to a sprint distance with high-level graded stakes class. Antonio Fresu can keep him within striking distance before using his back-class stamina to finish strong.
- Top Longshot: Gold Sweep (15/1)
Mike Smith riding a deep closer at 15/1 odds creates ideal value for underlying exotic wagers. Include Gold Sweep in your Exacta and Trifecta combinations.
Recommended Exotic Ticket Structures:
- Exacta Box ($2 Base = $24 Total): 1 (Maximum Bourbon), 3 (Dr. Venkman), 5 (Stronghold), 6 (Cornucopian)
- Trifecta Key ($1 Base = $21 Total): Key 3 (Dr. Venkman) over 1, 5, 6 with 1, 4, 5, 6, 7
- Daily Double / Pick 3 Anchor: Use Dr. Venkman (3) and Cornucopian (6) as core singles to link multi-race horizontal wagers across the Del Mar Saturday racecard.
Take Advantage of these Betting Strategies
The 2026 Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes promises an electric six-furlong dash packed with speed, class, and high-payout potential. With a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint on the line, every jockey will push for supreme positioning from the second the gates open at Del Mar. Whether you back Bob Baffert’s morning line favorite Cornucopian, trust Mark Glatt’s sharp Dr. Venkman, or hunt massive payouts with longshots like Gold Sweep, Saturday’s racecard offers unbeatable wagering value. Sign up for your account now, claim your exclusive $1,000 welcome bonus, check the latest live odds, and bet on Bing Crosby Stakes action today to experience the thrill of victory live from Del Mar.
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