When two competitors meet again after a nail-biting finish, the air crackles with anticipation — and that’s exactly what awaits racing fans at Del Mar this Sunday. In the $100,000 Betty Grable Stakes, it’s a long-awaited rematch between two of California’s brightest fillies: Grand Slam Smile and Sneaker.
Their first duel in last month’s California Distaff at Santa Anita ended with Sneaker flashing home late to snatch victory on the wire. For trainer Sean McCarthy, the sting of that near miss still lingers — but so does his admiration for the filly who never gives less than her all.
“She’s the kind of horse you dream to have,” McCarthy said, his voice warm with pride. “You know when you lead her over she’s going to give you everything she has. These kind of horses are why we do what we do.”
Familiar Foes, New Surface
Grand Slam Smile — last year’s Champion Cal-bred 3-Year-Old Filly — has been a model of consistency, never finishing out of the money in 15 career starts, eight of them wins. Her versatility shines through: victories on both grass and dirt, and seamless transitions under McCarthy’s care since joining his stable earlier this year following Steve Specht’s retirement.
In contrast, Sneaker, trained by George Papaprodromou, has carved out her own impressive résumé in 2025. From the disqualified victory in the Fran’s Valentine to her runner-up finish behind Grand Slam Smile in the Solana Beach, she’s proven herself a genuine contender in the Cal-bred ranks. Her storming California Distaff win showed her ability to strike from behind — and now she faces a fresh challenge on Del Mar’s dirt track.
“We’re trying something different,” Papaprodromou said. “She’s training good on the dirt, so I don’t see why not. Grand Slam Smile’s a very nice filly — she’s the one to beat.”
Others in the Mix
While all eyes will be on the two headline mares, Tina Turner, a lightly raced daughter of Grazen, looms as the potential spoiler. Unbeaten in two starts, the Steve Knapp trainee impressed with her tactical speed and composure on both dirt and turf.
“She’s done everything right,” Knapp said. “She’s got tremendous speed — the other day on the turf she could have gone to the lead if asked. We beat older horses that day.”
Veteran Issa Court, who narrowly missed catching Grand Slam Smile in the California Distaff, also returns under Bob Hess Jr., looking to turn the tables with a strong late charge.
The Betty Grable Stakes, named after the glamorous 1940s actress, is the eighth race on Sunday’s nine-race card, with a scheduled post time of 4 p.m.
Field (rail to outside):
Hot Girl Walk (Kazushi Kimura, 15-1); No Cap (Umberto Rispoli, 5-1); Sexy Blue (Geovanni Franco, 20-1); Grand Slam Smile (William Antongeorgi III, 7/5); Tina Turner (Armando Ayuso, 6-1); Sneaker (Antonio Fresu, 3-1); Issa Court (Hector I. Berrios, 5-1).
A Rivalry to Remember
The Grand Slam Smile vs Sneaker rematch brings an emotional twist to the Del Mar fall meet — two top-tier Cal-breds with unfinished business. For McCarthy and Papaprodromou, Sunday’s race isn’t just about prize money — it’s about pride, preparation, and the pursuit of validation.
Who will prevail this time — the reigning champion with grit on dirt, or the up-and-coming challenger with a devastating late kick? One thing is certain: Del Mar fans are in for a show.
Read the full racing coverage at RaceBuzz.
