Collusion Illusion, the only 3-year-old in the field, outran seven elders to win a thrilling edition of the Grade 1, $250,000 Bing Crosby Stakes for older sprinters on Saturday at Del Mar.

Collusion Illusion benefitted from a spirited, five-way battle for the lead through a 21.58-second opening quarter. Under Flavien Prat, he sat back off that pace, dived inside for the stretch run, and just held off a belated bid from Lexitonian to win by a nose in 1:10.41 for six furlongs on the fast main track.

Law Abidin Citizen was third.

Mark Glatt trained both the first- and third-place finishers.

Collusion Illusion, by Twirling Candy, is 3 for 3 at Del Mar. He won two races here last summer, including the Best Pal. He is 5 for 6 lifetime, his lone loss coming in his only try around two turns.

The Crosby victory earned Collusion Illusion a fees-paid berth to the Breeders' Cup Sprint through the Win and You're In program.