Grand Slam Smile continued her outstanding record at Del Mar with a commanding victory in the $100,000 Betty Grable Stakes on Sunday, securing her 14th career success and a second consecutive triumph in the seven-furlong contest for California-bred fillies and mares.
The five-year-old daughter of Smiling Tiger, bred and owned by Mr. and Mrs. Larry D. Williams of Boise, Idaho, covered the distance in 1:22.71, winning by five and a quarter lengths in a field of six. Juan Hernandez partnered the mare, who once again demonstrated her class with an authoritative performance. Hernandez, a seven-time leading jockey at Del Mar, currently heads the riding standings at the meeting with six victories after three days of racing.
Despite breaking slightly slowly from the inside stall, Grand Slam Smile quickly moved into a forward position under Hernandez. Once in front, she travelled strongly throughout and gradually extended her advantage, leaving her rivals with little opportunity to challenge. Alberta raider Big Hug, owned by Hedge or Neyka, finished second, half a length ahead of Reddam Racing’s She’s No Quant, who secured third place.
The victory took Grand Slam Smile’s career earnings to $1,114,120, with the $57,000 winner’s share adding to her impressive record. The Betty Grable Stakes marked her 25th career start, taking her overall tally to 14 victories, six second-place finishes and three thirds.
Her achievements extend across different racing surfaces, with seven victories on turf, six on dirt and one on a synthetic surface. Sunday’s success also strengthened her association with the Betty Grable Stakes, having captured the same contest last year.
For Hernandez, the victory represented his 80th career success at Del Mar and his second in the Betty Grable Stakes, following his 2022 triumph aboard Fun to Dream. It was also his first stakes victory of the current meeting.
Trainer Sean McCarthy recorded his third Betty Grable Stakes success at Del Mar, all three coming with Grand Slam Smile. The pair had previously won the race in 2025, making Sunday’s result another significant achievement for the partnership.
Hernandez explained that McCarthy had given him no special instructions before the race, simply asking him to use his judgement. The jockey noted that Grand Slam Smile broke a little slowly but responded well once he moved her into a forward position. He was particularly pleased with her strength after securing the lead.
McCarthy admitted that the inside starting position had initially raised concerns, especially with the possibility of an early speed challenge. However, a late withdrawal from the neighbouring stall eased those concerns. He was pleased with how the mare settled into the contest and accelerated once she found her rhythm.
Grand Slam Smile completed the seven-furlong journey in 1:22.71, with the recorded fractions of 22.32 seconds, 44.73 seconds and 1:09.58 before reaching the finish.
The winning owners and breeders, Mr. and Mrs. Larry D. Williams of Boise, Idaho, celebrated another important success with their homebred mare. The result further underlined Grand Slam Smile’s consistency and her continued excellence at Del Mar.
Following Sunday’s programme, racing at Del Mar will take a short break before resuming on Friday, November 13, with the first race scheduled for 12:30 p.m.
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