DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 17, 2025) – California-bred champion Grand Slam Smile held off Sneaker after dueling throughout the race to win Sunday’s $150,000 Solana Beach Stakes for Golden State Series-eligible fillies and mares at Del Mar.
Grand Slam Smile is by Smiling Tiger, out of the Grand Slam mare Royal Grand Slam, was bred by owners Mr. & Mrs. Larry Williams and is trained by Sean McCarthy.
“Once she got clear after that quarter mile and she eased up a little bit going down the backside, I felt pretty good and I felt really good around the turn,” said McCarthy. “When we got down the stretch, I could see that 8 coming and digging hard, but she too stuck it in the ground and wouldn’t weaken. I’m super impressed by her, it’s a pleasure to train her.”
McCarthy had plenty of thank-yous to deliver after the race, including to retired former trainer Steve Specht, who handed off the filly earlier this year.
“I’m super-happy for the Williamses and also Steve Specht, he’s been great. He tells me all about her. I’m sure he’s sitting at home watching. I hope he’s at a dock, sipping a drink after fishing.”
Grand Slam Smile has eight wins in 14 starts, earnings of $676,120 and was coming off a second in the July 20 Osunitas. Sneaker, winner of the Fran’s Valentine Stakes, was second and Cornelia Fort third in a field of nine.
Grand Slam Smile, the 6-5 favorite, ran the mile on turf in 1:34.92 and won by a half-length. It was the first Del Mar stakes win for both McCarthy and jockey William Antongeorgi.
“She broke well, and once we were around the backside she dropped the bridle for me,” said Antongeorgi. “When she relaxes like that, her ears go up, you know. Yea, Sneaker (second-place finisher) ran a hell of a race. But ‘Smile,’ she is a good one, she battles.
“I didn’t want to get up in a speed duel; I was going to play the break. She broke running, you know on the bridle, she just towed me up there. Down the backside like I said — she dropped the bridle on me, you know those ears went up. And I knew at that point, she’s going to be super tough. I am staying here (in Southern California); riding every day consistently.”