As the summer heat fades and the leaves begin to turn, the iconic Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in California ushers in the Bing Crosby Fall Season, a time when the "Surf Meets the Turf" and the racing action heats up once again. While the Breeders' Cup may have come and gone, the track is far from quiet, as it prepares to showcase the rising stars of the 2025 Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks roads.

Unveiling the Next Generation of Equine Superstars

The Desi Arnaz Stakes: A Showcase for 2-Year-Old Fillies

The spotlight shines brightly on the 2-year-old fillies this weekend, as they take center stage in the $100,000 Desi Arnaz Stakes. With entries set to be released in the coming days, all eyes will be on the nominations list, where the legendary Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert dominates, with six of the eight contenders under his tutelage. Among them are the impressive Silent Law, the Del Mar Debutante (G1) winner Tenma, and the debut winner Mawu, all of whom will be vying for the coveted victory.

The Bob Hope Stakes: A Clash of Promising 2-Year-Olds

On the following day, the action shifts to the $100,000 Bob Hope Stakes (G3), where 2-year-olds will battle it out over 7 furlongs. Once again, Baffert's name stands out, with three of the seven nominations – Emerald Bay, Kalea Bay, and the unraced Madekat Road. However, the spotlight will also be on Tim Yakteen, who will look to end Baffert's three-year winning streak in the Bob Hope, as he sends out McKinzie Road, a horse that was previously scratched from the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1).

The Bing Crosby Fall Season: A Mellow Yet Thrilling Affair

The Bing Crosby Fall Season at Del Mar is now in its 11th year, having absorbed the racing dates previously held at the now-closed Hollywood Park. While the summer season and the Breeders' Cup may have more fanfare, the Bing meet promises to be a mellow yet thrilling affair, with plenty of betting options and the potential for some hefty payouts.Despite the relative calm, the field sizes and the number of horses racing at Del Mar are expected to remain among the best in the country. As racing secretary David Jerkens notes, "The numbers are where I thought they would be after two weeks of entries. We knew it was not going to be 'write a book and watch the races fill.' We knew we were going to have to work at it and so far, it's been pretty much what we expected."

Graded Stakes Galore: A Thrilling Finale to the Bing Crosby Fall Season

As the Bing Crosby Fall Season draws to a close, the racing calendar is packed with a series of graded stakes events that are sure to captivate fans and bettors alike. Next weekend, the action heats up with the Native Diver (G3) for 3-year-olds and up, and the Red Carpet (G3) for 3-year-old fillies and mares on the turf.The final weekend of the Bing Crosby Fall Season promises to be a true spectacle, with the Hollywood Turf Cup (G2) for 3-year-olds and up, the Jimmy Durante (G3) for 2-year-old fillies, the Hollywood Derby (G1) for 3-year-olds, and the Seabiscuit (G2) for 3-year-olds and up on the turf. The festivities conclude with the Cecil B. DeMille (G3) for 2-year-old fillies on the turf and the prestigious Matriarch (G1) for 3-year-old fillies and mares.As the curtain falls on the Bing Crosby Fall Season, the racing world eagerly awaits the emergence of the next generation of equine superstars, who will undoubtedly captivate audiences and set the stage for the thrilling roads to the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks in 2025.