Grand Slam Smile rolls again down the hill, Benoit Photo
Santa Anita Park Press
ARCADIA, CA —The ultra-consistent mare Grand Slam Smile rolled to her eighth stakes win Saturday at Santa Anita when going gate-to-wire under William Antongeorgi III in the $125,000 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint for California-breds at about 6 ½ furlongs on the hillside turf course.
Trained by Sean McCarthy, Grand Slam Smile (4-5) raced to the early lead, clocked fractions of 22.03, 44.57 and 1:06.58 and cruised under the wire an easy 1 ½-length winner. The final time on firm turf was 1:12.71. Take Another Card, the 9-2 second choice, finished second under Umberto Rispoli by three-quarters of a length over Prancingthruparis (6-1).
“I am super happy,” Antongeorgi said. “She was just cruising on a long hold. She was nice and relaxed. No one was up there pressing us or anything. The way that she’s been training every week coming into this, I didn’t think anyone was going to come and get us.”
A 5-year-old daughter of Smiling Tiger, Grand Slam Smile is campaigned by breeders Larry D. Williams and Marianne Williams. Having never missed the board in 17 starts, she improved to 17: 10-6-1 with more than $825,000 in earnings.
Grand Slam Smile made her first 11 starts for trainer Steve Specht prior to his retirement in December 2024. Last year for McCarthy, she won both the Solana Beach for statebreds at a mile on turf at Del Mar and the Betty Grable going seven furlongs on dirt at Del Mar in her previous start on Nov. 9.
“It’s the first Cal Cup Day that I won a race in,” McCarthy said. “We had a few in, but today was fantastic. Today was a thrill and I want to thank the Williams’ a bunch and Steve Specht. I kind of lean on Steve. He gave me a great text this morning.”
In 2024, Grand Slam Smile won the Leigh Ann Howard California Cup Oaks at a mile on turf, California Distaff Handicap on the hillside turf course and Melair Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on dirt, all at Santa Anita. As a juvenile, Grand Slam Smile won the Fasig-Tipton Debutante and Golden State Juvenile Fillies, both also at Santa Anita.
Grand Slam Smile paid $3.60, $2.20 and $2.10. Take Another Card, ridden by Umberto Rispoli for trainer Simon Callaghan, returned $4.20 and $3.40. Prancingthruparis, with Juan Hernandez up for trainer Peter Eurton, paid $3.60.
Live racing resumes Sunday at Santa Anita with a nine-race card starting at 12:30 p.m. Also note on Monday, Santa Anita will host special holiday program with nine races starting at 12:30 p.m. As part of the celebration, on-track patrons will be treated to $2 beers, $2 hot dogs and $2 sodas.
