Del Mar Has Record Crowd (29,079); My Favorite Moment Wins Crosby

Longshot My Favorite Moment overtook Rosie’s K.T. in the final yards Saturday and won the $55,850 Bing Crosby Handicap before a crowd of 29,079, the largest in the history of Del Mar.

Ridden by Eddie Delahoussaye, My Favorite Moment finished three-quarters of a length in front of Rosie’s K.T., ridden by Pat Valenzuela. The 8-5 favorite, Fifty Six Ina Row, ridden by Laffit Pincay, finished third another 3 1/2 lengths back.

Covering six furlongs in 1.09 4-5, My Favorite Moment defeated nine rivals and earned a winner’s purse of $33,350 in the race for 3-year-olds and up.

Ignored by most of the record-breaking crowd, My Favorite Moment paid $41.60, $12.80 and $6.40. Rosie’s K.T. returned $8 and $4.20 and Fifty Six Ina Row paid $2.60 to show.

Carrying 116 pounds, My Favorite Moment rallied along the outside of the leaders entering the stretch and kept up his charge until finally overtaking Rosie’s K.T. in the final yards.

Rosie’s K.T., also carrying 116, vied for the lead between horses from the outset, finally drew clear inside the final furlong but could not hold off the winner late.

Fifty Six Ina Row, carrying 119, rallied into the stretch but could not threaten the first two finishes and had no apparent excuse.

The record crowd broke the mark set last Sunday of 28,539 and wagered a track-record $4,936,027, surpassing a nearly year-old mark of $4,707,258.

Del mar expanded its facility during the off season by installing an infield section for fans.