Barocio Triumphs in the Bing Crosby Stakes After Listening to Lovesick Blues
Lovesick Blues Shocks in Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes, Secures Breeders' Cup Spot
Librado Barocio's 7-year-old gelding Lovesick Blues pulled off a major upset at Del Mar on July 26, 2025, winning the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes. This marked Barocio's first Grade 1 win and Lovesick Blues' first graded stakes victory in his 41-race career.
A Strategic Surface Switch
Barocio, who is also the owner, took a bold approach with Lovesick Blues, known for his versatility on both grass and dirt. Lovesick Blues had mainly raced on turf recently before switching back to dirt for this race, indicating a strategic surface change that paid off.
A Patient Ride to a Convincing Win
Jockey Geovanni Franco rode Lovesick Blues patiently off the pace, rallying from seventh position on the turn to win convincingly by 1 3/4 lengths. Franco initiated an all-out assault on the front-runners during the race, propelling Lovesick Blues to the front.
Preparing for the Breeders’ Cup Sprint
Because the Bing Crosby Stakes is a “Win and You’re In” qualifier, Lovesick Blues secured an automatic berth into the $2 million Cygames Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Del Mar this fall on November 1. Barocio plans to run Lovesick Blues one more time before the Breeders' Cup to ensure he's in top form.
A Veteran Runner's Breakthrough
This victory was a breakthrough for the veteran runner, who seems to get better with age. The Grazen offspring, Lovesick Blues, has forty career starts with eight wins and twenty-six top-three finishes. With the win, Lovesick Blues earned his first grade 1 victory.
Consulting the Veterans
Barocio intends to consult with veterans of the game before deciding Lovesick Blues' path towards the World Championships of Thoroughbred racing. The trainer has been in the sport since 1998 and has found success with California-bred horses in the older division races.
Lovesick Blues completed the 21.78 opening quarter mile and 44.48 half mile with a solid early pace in the race. The gelding won the race at odds of 18-1, surprising many.
In summary, Barocio's confidence in Lovesick Blues' sprinting ability, coupled with a strategic surface switch and a patient ride from the back, resulted in a strong sprint finish and a major upset. This strategy positions Lovesick Blues well for the upcoming championship sprint event at Del Mar.
[1] Del Mar Race Track Press Release [2] BloodHorse Article
- Del Mar Race Track Press Release: Lovesick Blues' victory in the Bing Crosby Stakes at Del Mar puts him in contention for the sports of horse racing's Breeders' Cup Sprint, a race that takes place at Del Mar in November.
- BloodHorse Article: During the horse-racing event at Del Mar, Lovesick Blues, a lovesick blues-named gelding owned by Librado Barocio, surprised many by winning the Bing Crosby Stakes on the dirt, securing a position in the upcoming Breeders' Cup Racing Sprint.
