Amazombie turned in another remarkable performance Sunday to win the $300,000 Bing Crosby S. (G1) by a length and a quarter in 1:08.65, less than a second off the six furlong track record.
The 6-year-old son of Northern Afleet, last year’s Eclipse Award Sprint champion and winner of the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1), has won seven stakes and $1,905,378 in a 27-race career. Amazombie is one of five millionaires sired by Northern Afleet, who has ten stakes horses in 2012.
Amazombie broke very well from the rail in the Crosby, but Mike Smith eased him back and let Comma to the Top and The Factor battle for the lead down the backstretch. The leaders set a wicked pace of :44.50 seconds for the half-mile, with Amazombie sitting three lengths back. Coming into the stretch, Smith set his mount down three-wide. The champ ate away at the margin to hit the front inside the furlong marker and drawing away with ease at the end.
“It turned out just so perfect,” said winning trainer Bill Spawr. “We thought he was back and he did it today.”
“He’s bigger, stronger, thicker this year,” said Smith afterward. “He goes right on about it. Bill has done a terrific job with him. He looks so good. And Bill thinks he’s even better this year. I know that’s a scary thought, but I think he’s right.”
Spawr has plans for two more races as Amazombie tries to repeat his championship from 2011. “We’ll go to what used to be called the Ancient Title (G1 in October, now named the Santa Anita Sprint Championship), then to the Breeders’ Cup (also at Santa Anita).”