Del Mar fair odds: Bing Crosby value is with recent claim

It is rare when an $80,000 optional claimer is a key prep race for a Grade 1, but that is my approach to the Bing Crosby Stakes on Saturday at Del Mar.

Hejazi and Mbagnick squared off against three others in a six-furlong dash June 13 at Santa Anita. It was for non-winners of two races or an $80,000 tag. Hejazi was in for the condition off a nearly 16-month layoff, while Mbagnick was in for the tag, and trainer John Sadler plucked him for Hronis Racing.

Mbagnick won gate to wire with Hejazi a half-length back. The race came back fast on all metrics. There is every reason to think Sadler can keep Mbagnick in form in the first start for his barn, and Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert could improve Hejazi second off the layoff.

Price-wise, Hejazi figures to be much shorter even off the loss, but there is a lot of quality in this Bing Crosby field, so the 3-1 fair-odds price seems attainable. If Mbagnick gets ignored as a former claimer, the price could be right on him as well.

Dr. Venkman is the horse I expect to be the biggest underlay. He just always takes money, and his best races seem to be at middle distances. That said, all three of his career wins have come at Del Mar, but the only stakes win of those was in the San Diego Handicap (G2) last year, a two-turn, 1 1/16-mile affair.

World Record is as talented as these but also may be expected to get bet and will have plenty of company up front. Roll On Big Joe beat Dr. Venkman last time and figures to go simiarly ignored as Mbagnick. If the public overbets that optional-claimer race, then Roll On Big Joe could be worth a play.

Depending on what you think of the pace, Crazy Mason could be an option to at least crash the trifecta party and maybe nab the win if things completely fall apart.