Crosby Field Has a Select Six

The six horses entered Friday morning for today’s $200,000 Bing Crosby Breeders’ Cup Handicap certainly have enjoyed themselves at Del Mar. Caller One, Ceeband, Swept Overboard, Hollycombe, Freespool and Kona Gold have won 12 of 16 starts by the beach, topped by Kona Gold. The 126-pound highweight and reigning Eclipse champion as the top sprinter in the country, the 7-year-old Java Gold gelding has won all four of his races at Del Mar. The four victories, including one in last year’s Bing Crosby, have been by a combined 29 1/4 lengths. The only one of the anticipated participants to lose more than once at Del Mar is longshot Ceeband, who is one for four locally, but he has been second or third three times. The Crosby is the main event on another solid weekend card.

Race of the day: From a wagering standpoint, the most interesting race on the program could be the seventh, a one-mile turf affair for 3-year-old fillies. Brisquette, who has a win and a second in two sprints on the grass, is the 3-1 morning-line favorite as she goes long for the first time for trainer Richard Mandella. It also marks the return of 2000 Del Mar Debutante winner Cindy’s Hero and Whoopddoo, who hasn’t started since finishing third in December’s Hollywood Starlet. Add in Tates Creek, Desiraes My Candy, a recent Bill Spawr claim, and Miss Domuch and you have a race that could fall a number of different ways.

Who’s hot: Above Perfection, Lighten Up Tiny and Angel Angelique. The three California-bred fillies, who will run in today’s $100,000 Fleet Treat Stakes, are seven for eight. Above Perfection, the 8-5 favorite, is the only one of the 3-year-olds to have lost, but she was beaten by only a neck in the Grade I Prioress at Belmont Park while finishing six clear of the show filly.

Who’s not: Trainer Tom Proctor with first-time starters. According to statistics in the Daily Racing Form, Proctor is winless with his last 23 rookies and he will send out newcomer Global Dream in today’s ninth race.

Exotically speaking: An early pick three using Cocoa Beach, Awesome In Seattle and Fin Lady in the first, Meet Me In Dixie in the second and Lighten Up Tiny, Above Perfection and Angel Angelique in the third.