Grand Slam Smile with Frank Alvarado up takes top honors in the California Cup Oaks. (Ernie Belmonte/Past The Wire)
Race Is Part Of Lucrative CTBA-Sponsored Golden State Series
Mike Willman/Santa Anita Press Box
ARCADIA, Calif.—Owned by prominent California breeders Larry and Marriane Williams, Grand Slam Smile, in her first start going two turns and first assignment on grass, turned in a magnificent performance in taking Saturday’s $200,000 Leigh Ann Howard California Cup Oaks at Santa Anita, winning by 2 ¼ lengths while getting a flat mile on turf under regular rider Frank Alvarado in 1:36.59.
The Cal Cup Oaks is part of the lucrative CTBA-sponsored Golden State Series for registered California-bred or sired horses.
Trained by Steve Specht, Grand Slam Smile unseated Alvarado in the walk out of the paddock to the racetrack, but both horse and jockey were none the worse for wear when it counted. Breaking sharply from her outside post, she immediately engaged longshot Recalcitrant and Frankie Dettori into and around the first turn. Heading up the backside, Grand Slam Smile began to inch clear heading to the three-furlong marker, but Recalcitrant was back on terms at the quarter pole.
Turning for home, it looked as though Asada Fries, three-deep under Juan Hernandez, had fresh legs and dead aim, but Grand Slam Smile was far from done and re-rallied for a huge victory.
Most recently a disappointing second going six furlongs on synthetic Tapeta versus open company in the Golden Gate Debutante Nov. 25, Grand Slam Smile was off nonetheless off as the 2-1 favorite among eight sophomore fillies and paid $6.20, $4.20 and $2.80.
By Smiling Tiger out of the Grand Slam mare Royal Grand Slam, Grand Slam Smile, a two-time stakes winner on dirt, picked up her biggest paycheck yet, with the winner’s share of $110,000 boosting her earnings to $329,900 from an overall race record of 6-4-2-0.
The narrow second choice at 2-1 with Juan Hernandez, Asada Fries paid $3.40 and $2.40 while finishing a half-length better than deep closer Sushi Sticks.
Ridden by Flavien Prat, Sushi Sticks was just up for third money by a nose over Prancingthruparis and paid $2.80 to show.
Fractions on the Oaks were 22.72, 47.00, 1:11.61 and 1:24.12.
$200,000 Leigh Ann Howard California Cup Oaks Stakes Quote
Jockey Quotes
Frank Alvarado, Grand Slam Smile, Winner: “Steve (Specht) gave me a leg up and she jumped a little bit. I just landed on my butt and back, but there was no way I could take off. First time on the grass, we didn’t know if she would like it, she definitely liked it. The one thing about me and Steve, is we don’t like to be wide at the first turn. He told me to save ground. I saved ground right away, I just followed Frankie Dettori (Recalcitrant), a great rider on the grass.”
Trainer Quotes
Steve Specht, Grand Slam Smile, Winner: “I just want to say that to win this race at this point in time for Mr. and Mrs. Williams is very special. They’ve been with me a long time and with everything going on, to have a filly with this much talent…It’s really special.”
Regarding Alvardo being unseated leaving the paddock: “If he would have been on a maiden at Golden Gate, he would have been at the doctor’s office, and I would have been looking for another rider but not today. The ground is soft out there anyway. That was a great race, I am very proud of both of them. Frank rode her perfect. This filly is a real fighter, she won’t give in and throw in the towel. When they came up to challenge her, she just kept going and drew off down the lane.”
