Smile Sprint Stakes

Smile Sprint Stakes
Listed race
LocationGulfstream Park
Hallandale, Florida, United States
Inaugurated1984 (at Calder Race Course as Miami Beach Handicap)
Race typeThoroughbred – Flat racing
WebsiteGulfstream Park
Race information
Distance6 furlongs
SurfaceDirt
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationThree-years-old and older
WeightBase weights with allowances:
Older: 126 lbs
3YOs: 123 lbs
PurseUS$100,000 (since 2022)

The Smile Sprint Stakes is a Listed American Thoroughbred horse race for horses aged three and older over a distance of six furlongs on the dirt run annually in early July at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida.

History

The race has its origins in what is considered the inaugural running on 8 September 1984 as the Miami Beach Handicap.[1] However, an event with that name was held in 1973 and 1974 but was a two year old race over a distance of a 1+1⁄16 mile.[2]

The following year the event was run over a slightly longer distance of 7 furlongs.[3] In 1989 the event was run over 6 furlongs and in 1992 the event was run over a distance of a 6+1⁄2 furlongs.[3]

In 1993 the event was renamed to the Miami Beach Sprint Handicap.[3]

In 1999 the event was renamed to the Smile Sprint Handicap to honor Frances A. Genter Stable's Florida-bred colt, Smile.[2] As a two-year-old in 1984, Smile became the first horse to win all three races in the Florida Stallion Stakes series at Calder Race Course. He went on to win the 1986 Breeders' Cup Sprint and was voted that year's American Champion Sprint Horse.

In 2003, the event was upgraded to Grade III status by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association and carried a $500,000 purse.[3] Two years later the event was upgraded again to Grade II.[3]

At times the event was part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge series, with the winner automatically qualifying for the Breeders' Cup Sprint.

In 2014 the event was not held[2] and after negotiations between Calder Race Track and Gulfstream Park the event was moved to Gulfstream Park.[4]

The event was modified to the Smile Sprint Stakes for the 2015 running when the conditions of the event were changed from handicap to stakes allowance.[3]

In 2017 the event was downgraded back to Grade III.[2]

Since 2021 the event has been an invitational event.[3]

In 2024 the event was downgraded by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association to Listed status.[5]

Records

Speed record:

  • 6 furlongs: – 1:08.82 Cool Arrow (2020)
  • 7 furlongs: – 1:21.82 Constant Escort (1996)

Margins:

  • 8+1⁄4 lengths – Shake You Down (2003)

Most wins:

  • No horse has won this race more than once.

Most wins by a jockey:

  • 3 – Emisael Jaramillo (2016, 2018, 2023)

Most wins by a trainer:

  • 3 – David Fawkes (2000, 2010, 2013)

Most wins by an owner:

  • No owner has won this race more than once.

Winners

Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer Owner Distance Time Purse Grade Ref
At Gulfstream Park – Smile Sprint Stakes
2024 Comedy Town 4 Drayden Van Dyke Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. Ten Twenty Racing & Saffie A. Joseph, Jr. 6 furlongs 1:10.03 $110,000 Listed [6]
2023 Dean Delivers 4 Emisael Jaramillo Michael Yates Stonehedge 6 furlongs 1:09.28 $125,000 III [7]
2022 Willie Boi 4 Chantal Sutherland Jorge Delgado Lea Farms 6 furlongs 1:09.71 $150,000 III [8]
2021 Miles Ahead 4 Victor Espinoza Edward Pleza Jr. David Melin, Leon Ellman, Laurie Pleza 6 furlongs 1:09.61 $200,000 III [9]
2020 Cool Arrow 6 Leonel Reyes Teresa M. Pompay My Purple Haze Stables 6 furlongs 1:08.82 $100,000 III [10]
2019 Diamond Oops 4 Julien R. Leparoux Patrick L. Biancone Diamond 100 Racing Club, Amy Dunne & Patrick L. Biancone 6 furlongs 1:09.92 $250,000 III [11]
2018 X Y Jet 6 Emisael Jaramillo Jorge Navarro Rockingham Ranch & Gelfenstein Farm 6 furlongs 1:09.61 $272,500 III [12]
2017 Imperial Hint 4 Javier Castellano Luis Carvajal Jr. Raymond Mamone 6 furlongs 1:09.23 $250,000 III [13]
2016 Delta Bluesman 6 Emisael Jaramillo Jorge Navarro Monster Racing Stables 6 furlongs 1:08.94 $250,000 II [14]
2015 Favorite Tale 4 Edgard J. Zayas Guadalupe Preciado PJG Stable 6 furlongs 1:08.85 $250,000 II [15]
2014 Race not held
At Calder Racetrack – Smile Sprint Handicap
2013 Bahamian Squall 4 Luis Saez David Fawkes Donald R. Dizney 6 furlongs 1:10.21 $350,000 II [16]
2012 Gantry 5 Richard E. Eramia Ron Faucheux Brittlyn Stable 6 furlongs 1:10.52 $400,000 II [17]
2011 Giant Ryan 5 Cornelio Velasquez Bisnath Parboo Shivananda Parbhoo 6 furlongs 1:11.34 $350,000 II [18]
2010 Big Drama 4 Eibar Coa David Fawkes Harold L. Queen 6 furlongs 1:10.93 $350,000 II [19]
2009 Eaton's Gift 4 Jose Lezcano Dale L. Romans Zayat Stables 6 furlongs 1:11.25 $350,000 II [20]
2008 Benny the Bull 5 Edgar S. Prado Richard E. Dutrow Jr. IEAH Stables, Greg James & Andrew I. Cohen 6 furlongs 1:11.41 $400,000 II [21]
2007 Mach Ride 4 Elvis Trujillo Steven W. Standridge Rustlewood Farm 6 furlongs 1:09.89 $500,000 II [22]
2006 Nightmare Affair 5 Jeffrey Sanchez Manuel J. Azpurua Timber Side Stable 6 furlongs 1:10.56 $500,000 II [23]
2005 Woke Up Dreamin 5 Mike E. Smith Bob Baffert Michael E. Pegram 6 furlongs 1:09.80 $500,000 II [24]
2004 Champali 4 Jerry D. Bailey Gregory D. Foley Lloyd Madison Farms, IV 6 furlongs 1:10.14 $500,000 III [25]
2003 Shake You Down 5 Michael J. Luzzi Scott A. Lake Robert L. Cole Jr. 6 furlongs 1:10.03 $500,000 III [26]
2002 Orientate 4 Mike E. Smith D. Wayne Lukas Bob & Beverly Lewis 6 furlongs 1:09.98 $400,000 Listed [27]
2001 Fappie's Notebook 4 Jorge F. Chavez Emanuel Tortora Irving & Marjorie Cowan 6 furlongs 1:09.89 $200,000 Listed [28]
2000 Forty One Carats 4 Javier Castellano David Fawkes New New New Stable & Buckingham Stables 6 furlongs 1:08.95 $300,000 Listed [29]
1999 Silver Season 3 Eibar Coa Mohammed Moubarak Buckram Oak Farm (Mahmoud Fustok) 6 furlongs 1:10.03 $300,000 Listed [30]
Miami Beach Sprint Handicap
1998 Heckofaralph 5 Wigberto S. Ramos William J. Cesare Elizabeth A. & Ralph C. Sessa 6 furlongs 1:11.48 $300,000 Listed [31]
1997 ƒ Vivace 4 Randy Romero Cam Gambolati Post Oak Farm 6 furlongs 1:10.65 $250,000 Listed [32]
1996 Constant Escort 4 Eduardo O. Nunez Ralph Ziadie Maxwell Breeders 7 furlongs 1:21.82 $100,000 Listed [33]
1995 Request a Star 4 Abdiel Toribio William P. White Paul O'Toole 7 furlongs 1:23.69 $100,000 Listed [34]
1994 Exclusive Praline 3 Wigberto S. Ramos Steve Towne Frank Calabrese 7 furlongs 1:22.29 $100,000 Listed [35]
Miami Beach Handicap
1993 Song of Ambition 4 Ricardo D. Lopez Ernest Mello Harold Queen 7 furlongs 1:22.52 $75,000 Listed [36]
1992 My Luck Runs North 3 Ricardo D. Lopez Angel M. Medina Melvin A. Benitez 6+1⁄2 furlongs 1:17.57 $75,000 Listed [37]
1991 Greg At Bat 6 Jacinto Vasquez Ralph Ziadie Adlam Racing Stable 7 furlongs 1:24.26 $75,000 Listed [38]
1990 Groomstick 4 Pedro A. Rodriguez Luis Olivares Cobbleview Stable 7 furlongs 1:24.20 $81,950 [39]
1989 Glitterman 4 Walter Guerra Gregory E. Sanders O.H. Frisbia & Greg Sanders 6 furlongs 1:10.40 $54,950 [40]
1988 Position Leader 3 Douglas Valiente Jose A. Mendez Sol Garazi & Michel Besso 7 furlongs 1:24.80 $82,725 [41]
1987 Princely Lad 4 Benjamin Green Leon W. Patman Ace of Hearts Stable 7 furlongs 1:23.80 $54,300 [42]
1986 Jeblar 4 Jose A. Velez Jr. Frank Gomez Michael H. Sherman 7 furlongs 1:24.80 $54,650 [43]
1985 Opening Lead 5 Julio Molina Pezua Manuel J. Azpurua Brad D. Gay 7 furlongs 1:24.00 $54,500 [44]
1984 I Really Will 4 Gene St. Leon Frank Gomez Frances A. Genter 6 furlongs 1:12.00 $56,400 [1]

Notes:
ƒ Filly or Mare

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Moran, Paul (9 September 1984). "I really Will does in Beach – (race 9: held 8 September 1984)". Fort Lauderdale News. p. 55. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d "SMILE SPRINT HANDICAP - MULTIPLE TRACKS". Thoroughbred Database. 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "Smile Sprint Stakes (Gr. 3)". www.equibase.com. 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  4. ^ Spencer, Clark (2 October 2014). "Gulfstream Park set to host stakes races normally held at Calder". Miami Herald. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  5. ^ "TOBA Announces U.S. Graded and Listed Stakes for 2024". Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. 16 December 2023. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
  6. ^ "2024 Smile Sprint Stakes Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 6 July 2023. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  7. ^ "2023 Smile Sprint Stakes Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 1 July 2023. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  8. ^ "2022 Smile Sprint Stakes Grade 3 - (race 7)". Equibase. 3 July 2022. Retrieved 5 July 2022.
  9. ^ "2021 Smile Sprint Stakes Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  10. ^ "2020 Smile Sprint Stakes Grade 3 - (race 11)". Equibase. 5 September 2020. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  11. ^ "2019 Smile Sprint Stakes Grade 3 - (race 13)". Equibase. 29 June 2019. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  12. ^ "2018 Smile Sprint Stakes Grade 3 - (race 13)". Equibase. 30 June 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  13. ^ "2017 Smile Sprint Stakes Grade 3 - (race 13)". Equibase. 1 July 2017. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  14. ^ "2016 Smile Sprint Stakes Grade 2 - (race 10)". Equibase. 2 July 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  15. ^ "2015 Smile Sprint Stakes Grade 2 - (race 11)". Equibase. 5 July 2015. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  16. ^ "2013 Smile Sprint Handicap Grade 2 - (race 9)". Equibase. 6 July 2013. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  17. ^ "2012 Smile Sprint Handicap Grade 2 - (race 10)". Equibase. 7 July 2012. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  18. ^ "2011 Smile Sprint Handicap Grade 2 - (race 11)". Equibase. 9 July 2011. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  19. ^ "2010 Smile Sprint Handicap Grade 2 - (race 10)". Equibase. 10 July 2010. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  20. ^ "2009 Smile Sprint Handicap Grade 2 - (race 10)". Equibase. 11 July 2009. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  21. ^ "2008 Smile Sprint Handicap Grade 2 - (race 10)". Equibase. 12 July 2008. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  22. ^ "2007 Smile Sprint Handicap Grade 2 - (race 12)". Equibase. 7 July 2007. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  23. ^ "2006 Smile Sprint Handicap Grade 2 - (race 11)". Equibase. 15 July 2006. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  24. ^ "2005 Smile Sprint Handicap Grade 2 - (race 9)". Equibase. 10 July 2005. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  25. ^ "2004 Smile Sprint Handicap Grade 3 - (race 10)". Equibase. 10 July 2004. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  26. ^ "2003 Smile Sprint Handicap Grade 3 - (race 12)". Equibase. 12 July 2003. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  27. ^ "2002 Smile Sprint Handicap Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 13 July 2002. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  28. ^ "2001 Smile Sprint Handicap Listed - (race 10)". Equibase. 13 October 2001. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  29. ^ "2000 Smile Sprint Handicap Listed - (race 10)". Equibase. 7 October 2000. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  30. ^ "1999 Smile Sprint Handicap Listed - (race 11)". Equibase. 9 October 1999. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  31. ^ "1998 Miami Beach Sprint Handicap Listed - (race 12)". Equibase. 20 June 1998. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  32. ^ "1997 Miami Beach Sprint Handicap Listed - (race 11)". Equibase. 21 June 1997. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  33. ^ "1996 Miami Beach Sprint Handicap Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 28 September 1996. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  34. ^ "1995 Miami Beach Sprint Handicap Listed - (race 10)". Equibase. 30 September 1995. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  35. ^ "1994 Miami Beach Sprint Handicap Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 15 October 1994. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  36. ^ "1993 Miami Beach Handicap Listed - (race 8)". Equibase. 23 October 1993. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  37. ^ "1992 Miami Beach Handicap Listed - (race 9)". Equibase. 17 October 1992. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  38. ^ "1991 Miami Beach Handicap Listed - (race 12)". Equibase. 2 November 1991. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
  39. ^ "Groomstick wins Miami Beach Handicap – (race 9: held 27 October 1990)". Palm Beach Post. The Associated Press. 28 October 1990. p. 76. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  40. ^ LaBelle, Fran (9 October 1989). "4-5 Glitterman wins by a head at Calder – (race 10: held 8 October 1989)". Miami Herald. p. 87. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  41. ^ Joseph, Dave (30 October 1988). "Position Leader wins Miami Beach – (race 9: held 29 October 1988)". South Florida Sun Sentinel. p. 52. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  42. ^ "Princely Lad cruises at Calder – (race 9: held 1 November 1987)". South Florida Sun Sentinel. The Associated Press. 2 November 1987. p. 32. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  43. ^ Evans, Luther (3 November 1986). "No contest for Jeblar at Calder – (race 9: held 2 November 1986)". Miami Herald. p. 87. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
  44. ^ Evans, Luther (15 September 1985). "Opening Lead captures Miami Beach 'Cap – (race 9: held 14 September 1985)". Miami Herald. p. 50. Retrieved 29 June 2021.