The Chosen Vron successfully defends Bing Crosby title, earns spot in BC Sprint

The Chosen Vron defied trouble to prevail in last year’s Bing Crosby (G1) at Del Mar, but in Saturday’s title defense, the California-bred win machine found clear sailing throughout. Always prominent before readily asserting himself turning for home, the 3-2 favorite extended his winning streak to six.

The $401,000 Bing Crosby serves as a “Win and You’re In” for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1), giving The Chosen Vron an opportunity to take care of unfinished business. His most recent loss came in last November’s Sprint at Santa Anita, where he reported home fifth. But according to trainer and co-owner/breeder Eric Kruljac, The Chosen Vron prefers Del Mar, site of this year’s championships. His Bing Crosby repeat therefore furnishes a substantial Breeders’ Cup clue.

Breaking smartly from post 6 with regular rider Hector Berrios, The Chosen Vron attended the pace that developed on the inside. Rail-drawn Anarchist, runner-up in the 2023 Bing Crosby, led narrowly from 3-1 second choice Closethegame Sugar and longshot See Through It through an opening quarter in :22.73.

The Chosen Vron was striding so effortlessly, however, that he struck the front while reaching the half in :45.36. Closethegame Sugar valiantly kept on as Anarchist and See Through It dropped back, while Jackstown improved position down the stretch.

None could hold a candle to The Chosen Vron, who enjoyed a 2 1/4-length advantage at the wire. The Vronsky gelding finished six furlongs in a brisk 1:08.99.

Closethegame Sugar held second by a half-length from Jackstown, and in the process, the Kentucky shipper provided instructive collateral form. Two starts back, Closethegame Sugar scored an upset in the Aristides S. at Churchill Downs, stunning Skelly, who came back to place second in Saturday’s Alfred G. Vanderbilt (G1) at Saratoga.

Jackstown, hitherto unbeaten in two starts, was a creditable third in his ambitious stakes debut. Next came See Through It, Anarchist, Happy Jack, and Giant Game. Straight No Chaser, who would have been a prime pace factor, was scratched, along with Roll on Big Joe.

The Chosen Vron boasts a record of 24-19-1-2, $1,659,678, for Kruljac and co-owners Sondereker Racing, Robert S. Fetkin, and Richard Thornburgh. The flashy chestnut has amassed 16 black-type victories. Aside from a raft of state-restricted stakes, he captured the 2021 Affirmed (G3) and Lazaro Barrera (G3) as well as the March 16 San Carlos (G3) and April 27 Kona Gold S. The Chosen Vron was coming off a repeat in the May 25 Thor’s Echo S. in California-bred company.

By collecting another Bing Crosby trophy, The Chosen Vron joined the club of two-time winners, chief among them the brilliant Kona Gold (2000-01). Others on the list are How Now (1957-58), Kissin’ George (1967, 1969), Cherry River (1976-77), Syncopate (1979, 1981), and Ransom the Moon (2017-18).

The Chosen Vron was bred by Tiz Molly Partners, Kruljac’s group that took its name from his dam. By Tiz Wonderful, Tiz Molly hails from the family of Canadian champion Delightful Mary, millionaire Delightful Kiss, and multiple Grade 1-placed Japanese dirt performer Wilson Tesoro, who was fourth in this year’s Dubai World Cup (G1).