Harris Foaled and Raised The Chosen Vron Wins G1 Bing Crosby Stakes

Courtesy of Del Mar (July 30, 2023) – The chestnut Cal-bred The Chosen Vron, a win machine of the first degree, won his eighth straight race Saturday at Del Mar, but this time he did it with — and to — the big boys.

The racy chestnut gelding took on one of the strongest Bing Crosby fields assembled at the seaside track in recent times and came away a head winner after a stirring stretch duel in the $403,500 headliner that carried a Grade I ranking and a $240,000 winner’s prize.

Hector Berrios, who has now won eight straight races on the son of Vronsky, guided his mount through problems at the far turn and into the winner’s circle. Trainer J. Eric Kruljac, who called the shot to take his Cal-bred terror out of state-bred races and take on the best of the best, met them there with a smile that wouldn’t stop.

The Chosen Vron, who now has won 13 of his 17 lifetime starts, became a millionaire with total purses of $1,032,678. The vast majority of all his glory has been earned facing his California brethren, but today it was a different story.

Finishing second in the six-panel test was Ilium Stables’ Anarchist, while running third was race favorite Red Baron’s Barn and Rancho Temescal’s Dr. Schivel. Only a head separated those two competitors who were part of a thrilling race finish.

Final time for the “Win and You’re In” dash was 1:09.24. Twelve horses in all ran in the 78th edition of the race named to honor the track’s founder. The winner paid $11.00.

The Chosen Vron now has earned himself a guaranteed spot and a free ticket into the $2-million Breeders’ Cup Sprint on November 4 at Santa Anita.

The Chosen Vron was foaled and raised at Harris Farms. Bred by the Tiz Molly Partners, he is by Vronsky out of the winning Tiz Wonderful mare for whom the partnership was named.