Each decade appears to have its fan-favorite California-bred gelding, and The Chosen Vron actually qualifies for the 2020s. He is following the likes of Native Diver, Historical Title, Greatest Pal, and Lava Man , however none of these ever gained the six-furlong Bing Crosby Stakes (G1) at Del Mar.
The Chosen Vron might add a second Crosby July 27 to his victory in 2023, however with the race being a “Win & You are In” occasion for the Breeders’ Cup Dash (G1), he did not scare away too many. The 6-year-old son of Vronsky is slated to face eight rivals, even though he has gained 13 of his final 14 races—all in stakes—relationship again to September 2022. His solely loss got here when fifth in final 12 months’s Breeders’ Cup Dash (G1), one thing coach Eric Kruljac blames himself for, saying, “I over-freshened him up.”
By any normal, Kruljac has achieved an outstanding job managing The Chosen Vron’s profession and has been accountable for nearly every little thing within the gelding’s life. He co-owns The Chosen Vron with Sondereker Racing, Robert Fetkin, and Richard Thornburgh, with all of them additionally the breeders within the identify of Tiz Molly Companions. The partnership was lately named the recipient of the inaugural Horseracing Partnership Award from the Thoroughbred House owners of California.
Fetkin, talking for the companions, paid tribute to Kruljac on the California Thoroughbred Breeders Affiliation awards banquet this previous March when The Chosen Vron was named the 2023 Cal-bred Horse of the Yr.
“Eric has at all times stated it is the horse,” Fetkin stated. “However actually and actually this man deserves a variety of credit score as a result of he is been affected person with the horse. He is navigated this championship run for The Chosen Vron by way of the final a number of years.”
Coach Doug O’Neill will ship out a pair in opposition to The Chosen Vron, who drew put up eight and could have common rider Hector Berrios aboard. Anarchist will begin from the rail beneath Kazushi Kimura, whereas Blissful Jack has put up 7 beneath Edwin Maldonado.
Anarchist completed a head again of The Chosen Vron in final 12 months’s Crosby and returned to seize the Pat O’Brien Stakes (G2) with out The Chosen Vron within the area. In a single begin this 12 months, Anarchist ran sixth after dueling for the lead early within the 6 1/2-furlong Kelly’s Touchdown Stakes June 29 at Churchill Downs.
Blissful Jack extra lately confronted The Chosen Vron, working second to him by three-quarters of a size within the April 27 Kona Gold Stakes at Santa Anita Park | BloodHorse.com Monitor Profile”>Santa Anita Park. Blissful Jack returned to win the June 1 Triple Bend Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita, minus The Chosen Vron.
A number of out-of-state invaders are entered, together with Kelly’s Touchdown winner, Closethegame Sugar , who will get a brand new rider in Umberto Rispoli from put up 6. Coach Dan Blacker has the MyRacehorse contender Straight No Chaser , who is available in off a fourth within the Runhappy Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct Racetrack and had gained the Maryland Dash Stakes (G3) earlier than that by 7 1/2 lengths.
Among the many locals, Bob Baffert is represented by Jackstown , undefeated in two begins, from put up 9 with Juan Hernandez. Bob Hess has Roll On Large Joe (Ramon Gutierrez, put up 5) coming off two consecutive victories, the primary at Gulfstream Park and the second at Santa Anita. Each are making their stakes debuts.
Entries: Bing Crosby S. (G1)
Del Mar, Saturday, July 27, 2024, Race 10
- Grade I
- 6f
- Filth
- $400,000
- 3 yo’s & up
- 6:30 PM (native)
