DEL MAR, Calif. (AP) Big Macher won the $300,000 Bing Crosby Stakes by a half-length Sunday at Del Mar.
Ridden by Tyler Baze, Big Macher ran six furlongs in 1:08.82 and paid $21.20, $6.20 and $4.40 at 9-1 odds.
Big Macher won in his return from a layoff since April because of a quarter crack in his foot.
Goldencents returned $2.40 and $2.20 as the odds-on favorite while finishing second for the second straight year. Seeking the Sherif was another 1 1/2 lengths back in third and paid $4.20 to show in the Grade 1 race.
The victory, worth $180,000, increased Big Macher's career earnings to $496,428, with five wins eight starts.
In the co-feature $150,000 California Dreamin' Handicap, Rock Me Baby won by 3 1/4 lengths under Corey Nakatani in a race that was moved from the turf to the main track after the recent deaths of several horses at the seaside track.
The 5-year-old gelding ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.88 and paid $6.20, $4 and $2.60.
Starspangled Heat returned $13.60 and $5, while Ethnic Dance paid $3 to show.
Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux rode three winners on the card.
