A competitive lineup of seasoned sprinters is set to clash in the $75,000 Smile Sprint at Gulfstream Park this Saturday, with all eyes on Implementation as he looks to finally conquer the six-furlong distance.
The versatile six-year-old, owned by Ken Ramsey and trained by Saffie Joseph Jr., enters the race as the 7-5 morning-line favorite. While Implementation has tasted success across turf, dirt, and all-weather tracks, victory over six furlongs has so far eluded him. That may change this weekend.
Though he has only attempted the sprint trip twice—with respectable efforts at Churchill Downs and Saratoga—Joseph remains optimistic that the timing is right for Implementation to deliver.
“He’s always been competitive at 6½ furlongs, and now that he’s doing well physically, I believe six is within his grasp,” said Joseph.
Implementation arrives in top form after securing a dominant 2½-length win in the $150,000 Army Mule Stakes in March over seven furlongs. That victory followed a solid runner-up finish in the Grade 3 Fred Hooper at a one-turn mile, underscoring his consistency at slightly longer trips.
Claimed for $30,000 in 2023 after a Keeneland win, Implementation quickly proved his worth by scoring in back-to-back races at Saratoga and Kentucky Downs. His affinity for Kentucky Downs, where he has triumphed twice on the turf, has been well noted by his connections, though the focus this weekend remains firmly on the Gulfstream dirt.
Edgard Zayas will take the reins aboard Implementation for the first time on Saturday.
Joining him from the Saffie Joseph barn are Of a Revolution and One Sharp Cookie, both looking to rebound and make an impact. Of a Revolution recently returned to action with a promising runner-up finish at Gulfstream, while One Sharp Cookie is aiming to bounce back after a layoff and below-par effort in March’s Ghostzapper Stakes.
Rounding out the six-horse field is Shaq Diesel, pegged at 2-1 on the morning line after an emphatic four-length victory in the Big Drama Stakes. Though known for excelling at seven furlongs and a mile, the David Fawkes-trained gelding remains a major threat.
Air Combat, second to Shaq Diesel in his last outing, and El Principito, who comfortably handled Of a Revolution last time out, add further intrigue to an evenly matched contest.
With $75,000 and Gulfstream Park bragging rights on the line, the Smile Sprint promises fireworks as seasoned sprinters battle for six-furlong supremacy.
