Cornucopian entering Bing Crosby in solid form

Aside from a blip in the Churchill Downs (G1) against Japanese invader T O Elvis, Cornucopian has enjoyed a strong season. He will look to continue that trend Saturday at Del Mar in the $400,000 Bing Crosby (G1).

The Bing Crosby, a six-furlong dash for older horses, offers an automatic bid to the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) at Keeneland in late October.

A veteran of only seven starts, the four-year-old Cornucopian remains with upside, his record from six furlongs to seven furlongs nearly flawless at 4-for-5. Bookending his fifth in the Churchill Downs were successes in the San Carlos (G3) at Santa Anita and the Aristides (G3) at Churchill Downs.

Among the vanquished in the San Carlos was Listenupshance, who most recently finished a close third at 21-1 in the True North (G3) behind last year's division leaders Book'em Danno and Bentornato. Listenupshance will be a significantly lower price in the Bing Crosby, and perhaps still has something to prove at this level, given his beginnings in the claiming ranks.

Maximum Bourbon, 4-for-6, ships west after landing his debut for trainer Phil D'Amato in the restricted St. Matthews S. at Churchill on April 30. He is joined by stablemate Stronghold, a Grade 1 veteran who was an odds-on winner of the Triple Bend (G3) over seven furlongs in late May.

Four-time Del Mar winner Dr. Venkman was likely in need of a race when trailing a field of six in the June 27 Bango (G3) at Churchill, his first start since finishing third in the Breeders' Cup Sprint at Del Mar last November. Mad House, a two-time graded winner since September, seems well drawn outside the other speed.