Del Mar Stages Star-Studded Double Bill, Headlined by the Bing Crosby

Saturday Card Also Features GII San Diego H. and Listed Daisycutter H.; Chilean Mbagnick Lines Up in Main Event

World Record Flashes Speed, Stays Perfect in GII Amsterdam S. at Saratoga / ADAM COGLIANESE / NYRA

DEL MAR, California (Special for Turf Diario).- Del Mar kicks into high gear this Saturday with a top-class program anchored by the 80th running of the GI Bing Crosby S., supported by the GII San Diego H. and the late-night turf sprint of the Daisycutter H., offering a diverse and electric day of racing at the seaside track.

The six-furlong Bing Crosby, Del Mar’s premier sprint and a tribute to one of the track’s original founders, carries a $400,000 purse and has drawn a field of nine. Headlining the lineup is World Record (Gun Runner), campaigned by WinStar Farm and BBN Racing, who has been installed the 3-1 morning-line favorite. A winner of over $440,000 and unbeaten in four starts, the progressive colt will have Flavien Prat—making a special cross-country trip—aboard as he looks for his first graded score.

South American eyes will be fixed on Mbagnick (Practical Joke), the Chilean-bred who lines up for trainer John Sadlerand owners Hronis Racing, whose silks are also carried by Argentine-bred Full Serrano (Full Mast). Armando Ayusotakes the call on Mbagnick, who makes his U.S. stakes debut.

The Bing Crosby is a "Win and You're In" qualifier for the GI Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Del Mar in November, part of the global Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series.

Earlier on the card, the GII San Diego H.—a key prep for the GI Pacific Classic on Aug. 30—will be run over 1 1/16 miles on dirt for a $300,000 purse. All eyes will be on Nysos (Nyquist), the Baoma Corp. colorbearer who has already captured three stakes races and is the overwhelming 3-5 morning-line choice. Prat will also pilot the imposing sophomore.

Rounding out the marquee program is the $100,000 Daisycutter H., a five-furlong turf dash for fillies and mares 3 and up. A full field of 10 will face the starter, with Pushiness (Kantharos) emerging as the one to beat. The Repole Stablerunner has finished in the money in nine of 10 lifetime starts and will break from the far outside under Juan Hernandez.

Del Mar’s summer meet is already buzzing, and Saturday promises high-speed action, major Breeders’ Cup implications, and the unmistakable flair of Southern California racing at its best.