2013 Smile Sprint Handicap Odds & Predictions

HorseFlyOnaWall Sez…

The $350.000 GII Smile Sprint Handicap is set for Saturday, July 6, 2013 at Calder Race Course. It’s for three-year-olds and up going 6F in the dirt and is the 9th race the day with a start time of 4:26 p.m. ET. This race is one of the “Win & You’re In” Breeders Cup Challenge races.

This looks to be a full field of 12 with three also eligible. I’m having a heck of a time trying to pick four horses out of this amazing group to focus on so I’ll take my best shot and hope I pick a few that come in the money.

Headlining this group is Trinniberg, winner of last years Breeders Cup Sprint and 2013 Eclipse Award winner as champion sprinter. I also like Jackson Bend who came in 5th June 8, 2013 in the Ponche Hcp (LS), as well as Black Diamond Cat winner of that Ponche Hcp and Close It Out who came in 2nd in that race.

Trinniberg out of Teuflesburg/Bella Dorato by Goldman’s Gold is owned by Sherry Parbhoo and trained by Bisnath Parbhoo. His last win was in the Breeders Cup Sprint on November 2, 2012. He’s run twice this year with an 11th place finish on March 3 in the Dubai Golden Shahee (G1) and most recently placed 7th in the Churchhill Downs Stakes (GII). His last posted training was on June 28th where he ran a 4F bullet in 47:80 (1/23) at Calder.

Jackson Bend is back from retirement after an accident last year in training. He is out of Hear No Evil/Sexy Stockings by Tabasco Cat, owned by Robert LaPerta and Fred Brei of Jacks or Better Farm, who also brought us Awesome Feather, and trained by S.I.Gold. After training this spring he placed 5th in the 6F 2013 Ponche Hcp on June 8, 2013 and it appears to me this was a prep for the Smile. On June 29th he breezed 4F in 47.80 (2/79) at Calder.

Black Diamond Cat out of Wildcat Heir/Sweet Glory by Miswaki is owned by Bluestone Thoroughbreds, LLC and trained by Larry Bates. He recently won the Ponche Hcp on June 8, 2013. His race prior, he came in 2nd to Close It Out in the 6F Champali on May 18, 2013.

Close It Out by Closing Argument/Honeymoon Sweep by End Sweep is trained by Steve Towne. He was 2nd in the 2013 Ponche Hcp losing to Black Diamond Cat. He beat Black Diamond Cat before that in the Champali. They seem to have a little bit of a rivalry going on here, I like that.

There is lots of talent in this race which makes it hard to handicap. I’m going with Jackson Bend and Close It Out as my top picks. I’ve been rooting for and betting on Jackson Bend since 2010. He seems to be doing fantastic after the accident and if he runs true to his old self, he’s a big player here. I just hope he remains healthy. Close It Out I feel could be his biggest threat in here followed by Trinniberg and Black Diamond Cat. The Lady and The Track fan favorite is Artefacto who is an also eligible, so we would love to see him come in the money too.

Best of luck to them all and run safe! Remember, always check your tickets before you leave the betting window and never second guess yourself or change your mind at the last minute. One small mistake can cost you’re a foturne.

“HorseFlyOnaWall” is a new series of predictions from weekend warrior handicapper Kari Ward. Lady and The Track is excited to feature HorseFlyOnaWall picks and predictions every week. Please welcome Kari by leaving her a comment below! 

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Smile Sprint Handicap 2013 Post Positions & Odds
1 Trickmeister 20/1 Bocachica/Hunter
2 Off the Jak 20/1 Alvarez/Parboo
3 Cajun Breeze 20/1 Rios/Yates
4 Justin Phillip 7/2 Santana, Jr./Asmussen
5 Black Diamond Cat 12/ 1 Panici/Bates
6 Apriority 10/1 Sanchez/Fawkes
7 Bahamian Squall 6/1 Saez/Fawkes
8 Swagger Jack 8/1 Lezcano/Wolfson
9 Fort Loudon 6/1 Jara/Gold
10 Close It Out 12/1 Cruz/Towne
11 Jackson Bend 8/1 Sanchez/Gold
12 Trinniberg 12/1 Martinez/Parboo
Also Eligible:
13 Artefacto 15/1 Zayas/Joseph, Jr.
14 Grande Shores 20/1 Zayas/Gold
15 On Appeal 20/1 Ortiz/Fernandez
Updated Results:
7, 12, 11, 4, 1, 10, 5, 9, 13, 6, 3, 2