In Summation, Street Boss Meet in Crosby

Defending Bing Crosby Handicap (gr. I) champion In Summation, making his first start since April 26, will have plenty to deal with when he takes on the fast-rising Street Boss on Del Mar's Polytrack racing surface July 27.

The top two contenders each carry high weight of 121 pounds in the $300,000 Crosby, a six-furlong event that drew nine entrants.

Street Boss, a 4-year-old Street Cry colt trained by Bruce Headley, has employed a powerful closing kick to win four consecutive starts, including the Triple Bend Handicap (gr. I) at Hollywood Park July 5.

Headley says he's taking Street Boss on the same path he took with five-time Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) runner Kona Gold -- from the Crosby to Oak Tree's Ancient Title (gr. I) at Santa Anita to the Breeders' Cup Sprint, this year at Oak Tree. Kona Gold won the 2000 BC Sprint.

Street Boss, to be guided once again by David Flores, drew the rail.

"He'll be well off the pace," Headley said of Street Boss. "That's the way he likes to run and I don't try to change a horse's style. He has a great disposition and he has a big kick. A horse has to have a big kick if you want him to be in there with the big boys."

While coming from last with a sweeping five-wide move in the Triple Bend, Street Boss drifted in during the stretch run and failed to switch leads for Flores, mistakes that could cost him in a race against a horse that is the caliber of In Summation.

Bluegate Corporation, Headley, and Naify own Street Boss, who has won six of 10 starts with two seconds and earned $401,800.

In Summation is also headed for the Breeders' Cup Sprint, according to Nicholas Bachalard, in charge of the Christophe Clement string at Del Mar. The 5-year-old Florida-bred came to life when switched from the turf to synthetic for last year's Crosby and nothing has been the same for the Put It Back horse since. He has won four of five starts on all weather surfaces for owner Waterford Stable.

"The horse is doing very well here," Bachalard said. "He has trained well and he's breezed well over the track. We're looking for a good race out of him, but we know it's not easy to come back in a race like this, but you have to come back somewhere."
 
In Summation nosed popular Southern California sprinter Greg's Gold in last year's Crosby in a terrific finish. He has been idle since April 26 when he was sixth in the Turf Sprint Handicap at Calder Race Course. The dark bay has won 10 of 22 lifetime starts with earnings of $905,166.

Barbecue Eddie and grade I winner Johnny Eves, both notoriously fast, figure to be on the lead with In Summation, Jungle Prince and a few others likely in  stalking position.

Barbecue Eddie, trained by Brian Koriner, has run second twice this year to In Summation in graded events and is coming off a 2 1/2-length triumph over optional claiming foes at Hollywood Park June 28. Johnny Eves looks to shake off a four-race losing streak for Jay Robbins since winning the Malibu Stakes (gr. I) at Santa Anita Dec. 26.

$300,000 Bing Crosby Handicap (gr. I, Race 8, 5:30 p.m.), 3 & Up, 6 Furlongs (All Weather)
PP. Horse, Weight, Jockey
1. Street Boss (KY), 121, David R. Flores
2. Barbecue Eddie (MD), 116, Aaron T. Gryder
3. Jungle Prince (KY), 115, Joel Rosario
4. In Summation (FL), 121, Corey S. Nakatani
5. Silver Stetson Man (KY), 113, Victor Espinoza
6. Winsome Charm (FL), 108, Tyler Baze
7. Sailors Sunset (KY), 114, Rafael Bejarano
8. Spot the Diplomat (CA), 110, Michael C. Baze
9. Johnny Eves (CA), 116, Garrett K. Gomez