The 2025 Bing Crosby Stakes at Del Mar is one of the highlights of the summer racing season in Southern California. This prestigious six-furlong race on the dirt track is a "Win and You're In" event for the Breeders' Cup Sprint, meaning the winner gets an automatic spot in the Breeders' Cup later in the year.
For both racing fans and bettors, this race is a thrilling opportunity to see some of the best sprinters in action and place some horse bets. With a $400,000 prize pool, the 2025 edition of this race is expected to be exciting and competitive.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know, from how to watch the race to an in-depth look at the horses and their odds. Let’s get ready for the action!
The 2025 Bing Crosby Stakes will take place on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at Del Mar. As one of the main events of the Del Mar summer meet, it attracts top sprinters from around the country. While the exact post time will be confirmed closer to race day, this race usually takes place late in the afternoon or early evening Pacific Time, often as part of an 11-race card.
Late July in Del Mar typically brings great racing weather. The usual conditions in July are warm but not too hot, with mild humidity and very little rain. Daily temperatures usually range from 80°F (27°C) in the afternoon to 64°F (18°C) in the evening, with only a 3% chance of rain. If it does rain, it’s usually light. Humidity is moderate, averaging around 67%.
With these conditions, we can expect a fast, firm dirt track for the Bing Crosby Stakes—perfect for sprinters who need solid ground to perform at their best. A gentle coastal breeze might make an appearance, but overall, the weather will be ideal for a fast-paced race.
The Bing Crosby Stakes has a long history of featuring some of North America’s best sprinters. The race is named after Bing Crosby, the legendary entertainer who co-founded Del Mar Racetrack. Past winners include some of the top horses in the sport, many of whom have gone on to success in the Breeders' Cup Sprint.
In recent years, The Chosen Vron has dominated, winning the Bing Crosby in both 2023 and 2024. This consistent California-bred gelding has proven himself to be a strong contender in the race. Before him, American Theorem took home the title in 2022, showing impressive late speed. In 2021, Dr. Schivel won, while Collusion Illusion claimed victory in 2020. Other notable past winners include Ransom the Moon (2017, 2018) and Lord Nelson (2016).
These past champions show the qualities needed to win the Bing Crosby: speed, strategy, and the drive to win. Reviewing the running styles and previous performances of these horses can offer valuable insights when evaluating the odds for this year’s race.
This year’s Bing Crosby Stakes has attracted a talented group of nine sprinters, all vying for the top prize and a spot in the Breeders' Cup Sprint. With a mix of experienced graded stakes winners and up-and-coming stars, this promises to be an exciting and unpredictable race.
Let’s take a closer look at each horse and their official odds:
| PP | Horse | Fractional | American |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Crazy Mason | 6/1 | +600 |
| 2 | Dr. Venkman | 4/1 | +400 |
| 3 | Hejazi | 7/2 | +350 |
| 4 | Smooth Cruisein | 20/1 | +2000 |
| 5 | World Record | 3/1 | -300 |
| 6 | Roll On Big Joe | 6/1 | +600 |
| 7 | Mbagnick | 5/1 | +500 |
| 8 | Spirit Of Makena | 20/1 | +2000 |
| 9 | Lovesick Blues | 20/1 | +2000 |
>>> Check the latest updates on the Bing Crosby Stakes
>>> Check the latest updates on the Jim Dandy Stakes
Official Odds: 6-1
Crazy Mason enters this race after winning the Grade 2 Carter Stakes at Aqueduct in April, where he held off the competition to win by a neck. His recent third-place finish in the Grade 3 True North Stakes at Saratoga shows that he can handle different track conditions, though he’ll likely perform best on the fast track at Del Mar.
Trained by Gregory D. Sacco and ridden by Christopher Elliott, this four-year-old colt is known for his impressive speed and could take advantage of a fast pace. Although he’s shipping in from the East Coast, his recent win shows he’s in great form.
Official Odds: 4-1
Dr. Venkman, trained by Mark Glatt and ridden by Antonio Fresu, comes into this race after finishing second in the G3 Kelly's Landing Stakes at Churchill Downs. He’s also been second in the G3 Triple Bend Stakes, narrowly missing out behind top contenders like Nysos. These results suggest he’s close to breaking through into Grade 1 territory. His tactical speed makes him a strong contender in this race, and with the shorter Bing Crosby Stakes on his schedule, he’s ready to compete at his best.
Official Odds: 7-2
Hejazi, trained by Bob Baffert and ridden by Juan J. Hernandez, is a horse with high potential. He’s returning from a layoff but showed strong form with a close second in an allowance race last month. Though he hasn’t won a stakes race yet, he has placed in three, including two Grade 1 races. Purchased for $3.55 million, Hejazi has always had a lot of promise, and with Baffert’s impressive record in this race, he’s one to watch if he’s back to his best.
Official Odds: 20-1
Smooth Cruisein is the youngest horse in the field, trained by Karen Headley and ridden by Kyle Frey. He’s shown some promise, placing third in the Triple Bend behind Nysos and Dr. Venkman. However, moving up to Grade 1 competition at this stage of his career may be a big leap. He’ll need to improve significantly to compete at this level, making him a long shot in this race.
Official Odds: 3-1 (Morning Line Favorite)
World Record is the morning-line favorite, trained by Rodolphe Brisset and ridden by top jockey Flavien Prat. With a victory in the G2 Amsterdam Stakes at Saratoga and a recent second in the G3 Aristides Stakes, World Record has solid form. Prat’s decision to travel from the East Coast for this race speaks volumes about the confidence in this horse. With the combination of a proven jockey and trainer, along with impressive speed figures, World Record is a strong contender to win and there are several reasons of why World Record is you best bet option.
Official Odds: 6-1
Roll On Big Joe, trained by Robert B. Hess, Jr. and ridden by Julien R. Leparoux, enters the Bing Crosby with two straight wins, including the G3 Kelly's Landing Stakes. He has shown impressive form this year, earning his best speed figure of 121 in a Churchill Downs allowance race. With a solid understanding of the six-furlong distance, Roll On Big Joe is a serious threat in this race.
Official Odds: 5-1
Mbagnick, a Chilean-bred horse trained by John W. Sadler and ridden by Armando Ayuso, has shown good form recently, including a win in the allowance race that Hejazi finished second in. However, stepping up to Grade 1 competition in the U.S. is a big challenge, and his form from Chile can be difficult to assess against the top-tier sprinters here.
Official Odds: 20-1
Spirit of Makena, trained by George Papaprodromou and ridden by Abel Cedillo, is the oldest horse in the race at seven years old. He’s shown flashes of brilliance in the past but finished fourth in the Triple Bend Stakes behind Nysos, Dr. Venkman, and Smooth Cruisein, suggesting that he’s a bit off the top level right now. He’ll need to find his best form to be competitive in this Grade 1 race.
Official Odds: 20-1
Lovesick Blues, trained by Librado Barocio and ridden by Geovanni Franco, recently won the Siren Lure Stakes on turf. Now, he returns to dirt, a surface he hasn't raced on much lately. With a competitive speed figure of 113 on dirt in the past, Lovesick Blues has the potential to perform well, but this transition from turf to dirt may prove challenging at this level.
The 2025 Bing Crosby Stakes is shaping up to be an exciting race with a deep field of experienced sprinters and rising stars. The fast dirt track at Del Mar and the perfect weather conditions will make for a thrilling contest. Whether you're a seasoned bettor or new to the sport, the Bing Crosby Stakes offers a fantastic spectacle with plenty of opportunities for winning bets.
With top jockeys, well-known trainers, and a major Breeders' Cup implication, this Grade 1 race is about more than just speed—it’s a test of class and strategy. Make sure to review the odds, study the form, and consider the weather to make your bets. Whether you’re betting on a straight win or a super exotic trifecta, don’t miss the chance to be part of the excitement and possibly earn some great rewards.
The writing team at US Racing is comprised of both full-time and part-time contributors with expertise in various aspects of the Sport of Kings.
