Following an authoritative one-length score over elders in the Triple Bend H.
(G1), ZENSATIONAL (Unbridled’s Song) figures to be an overwhelming favorite
against five opponents in Saturday’s $300,000
Bing
Crosby H. (G1) at Del Mar. The Bob Baffert trainee is the lone
three-year-old in the field and will spot weight to every rival except GLOBAL
HUNTER (Arg) (Jade Hunter), who will cut back to six furlongs off an upset win
in the Eddie Read H. (G1) at 1 1/8 miles on the turf.
Zensational is the probable speed from the rail with Victor Espinoza. Three-for-five lifetime, the lightly raced colt made his stakes debut in the Triple
Bend, and he’ll face lesser company on Saturday. Zensational has prepped for the
Bing Crosby with three consecutive bullet works over the Polytrack, including a
:45 3/5 half-mile drill on Monday.
DELTA STORM (Storm Boot) is probably the biggest threat. A two-time stakes
winner, including the 2008 Pirate’s Bounty H. over the distance/trip at Del Mar,
the Mike Mitchell-trained gelding made his eight-year-old debut a winning one
last out, capturing the grassy Robert K. Kerlan Memorial H. at Hollywood Park in
front-running fashion. He’ll likely show speed from post 4 beneath Joel Rosario.
Global Hunter has never raced at six furlongs in 25 career starts, making his
last nine starts at two turns, including the Eddie Read and Hollywood Gold Cup
(G1) most recently. He’s been earning commendable BRIS Speed ratings, but the
six-year-old gelding will be a major question mark at the distance.
BAMAHA BREEZE (Lord Carson), winner of the restricted El Segundo S. two
starts back at Hollywood Park, will enter the Bing Crosby off a runner-up effort
in the Sam J. Whiting Memorial H. at Pleasanton. Last-out allowance hero TALKIN
TO MOM ROO (You and I) will break from the far outside post under the hot-riding
Tyler Baze, and stakes winner HURRY UP AUSTIN (Lake Austin) will look to turn
things around off an unplaced finish versus allowance rivals.