Headley Has Hope in the Crosby

The dominant trainer of late in the $300,000 Bing Crosby Handicap, which will be run for the 60th time Sunday at Del Mar, has been Bruce Headley.

Since 1998, Headley has won the Grade I sprint three times -- always with senior citizens. Son Of A Pistol was 6 years old when he won in 1998 and Kona Gold won at 6 and 7 in 2000 and 2001.

Headley has a chance to win the six-furlong Crosby again this year, but he’ll be trying it with a youngster, Storm Wolf, a lightly-raced 3-year-old.

Owned by Ernie Moody’s Mercedes Stables LLC and Marsha Naify, Storm Wolf, a $300,000 purchase last summer, has won three in a row after beginning his career by finishing fourth to Going Wild Dec. 26 at Santa Anita.

In his victories, the son of Stormin Fever has not been challenged. His wins have been by a combined 20 1/2 lengths, including a six-length decision in his first graded stakes, the Lazaro Barrera Memorial May 21 at Hollywood Park.

Alex Solis, who was aboard Headley’s other Bing Crosby winners, has the mount Sunday as Storm Wolf tries to become the first 3-year-old to win the race since King’s Blade in 1994.

The race also marks the return of Pico Central, who will be making only his second start of the year for owner Gary Tanaka and trainer Paulo Lobo. The 6-year-old Brazilian-bred, who won five of seven in 2004, including three Grade I victories in New York, hasn’t raced since finishing fourth in the $2-million Golden Shaheen on March 26 in Dubai. With Solis on Storm Wolf, Mike Smith will ride Pico Central for the first time.

Completing the field are Pt’s Grey Eagle, shortening up after finishing last in the Hollywood Gold Cup on July 9; Areyoutalkintome, Greg’s Gold, Battle Won, Top Commander, Stormin’ Lyon and Taste Of Paradise.

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Southern Image, whose biggest victories came in the 2004 Santa Anita Handicap and Pimlico Special, has been retired. The 5-year-old has been hampered with foot problems throughout his career.

Owned by Tom and Jerry Kagele and Don Blahut and trained by Mike Machowsky, Southern Image finished his career with six wins in eight starts and earned more than $1.8 million.