By DRF.com
DEL MAR, Calif. (Aug. 31, 2025) – The numbers look good for front-runner Sammy Davis in the $100,000 I’m Smokin Stakes, a sprint for Golden State Series eligible 2-year-olds Friday at Del Mar. But some recent trends may not play in the John Sadler trainee’s favor.
Sammy Davis is 2-for-2 following a decisive stakes victory that earned a 78 Beyer Speed Figure, the highest in the I’m Smokin field. Sammy Davis is the only two-time winner in the field, and the speedster’s running lines are filled with 1s. He wired the field both starts. Lots of attributes.
Anyone betting against Sammy Davis might ask, “What kind of fool am I?”
But when Sammy Davis seeks his third win of the meet Friday, history is not on his side. Only one horse the last 13 years has won three races during a Del Mar summer meet (Chismosa in 2022). Sammy Davis also did not draw well and will break from the rail. Finally, only one favorite has won the I’m Smokin since 2016. Favoritism on Friday is likely to be Sammy Davis or Thirsty Rebel.
Sadler believes Sammy Davis has held form during an ambitious campaign. “He’s remarkable in that he’s bounced out of these races well,” Sadler said. “The only concern would be three starts at the meet. But we’ve been really cognizant he’s handled it really well.”
Sammy Davis is by Sir Prancealot, out of the More Than Ready mare Ready for Romance, was bred by Thomas Bachman and is owned by Legacy Ranch.
He could wire the I’m Smokin under jockey Hector Berrios, but the eight-horse field includes three legit contenders trained by Doug O’Neill. Thirsty Rebel scored an impressive debut win in a productive race. Saul Elliott won his debut in May and had an excuse for a subsequent misfire. Pavlovian finished second in a Grade 3.
Thirsty Rebel is by Stay Thirsty, out of the Sky Mesa mare Argyle Park, was bred by Terry Lovingier and is owned by Mark Breen. He won his lone start July 19 with earnings of $48,000.
Pavlovian is by Pavel, out of the Bellamy Road mare Mandy’s Grace and was bred by owner Reddam Racing. He has one win in three starts, earnings of $78,000 and is coming off a second in the Aug. 9 Grade III Best Pal.
Thirsty Rebel’s debut victory over an above-average field gives him a license to win the I’m Smokin. Despite the rail draw in a 10-horse field, Thirsty Rebel ran like a pro as the 2-1 favorite. He took dirt, rated kindly, angled out, and crushed by almost four lengths. The second- and fourth-place finishers won next out, the sixth-place finisher returned to finish second.
Thirsty Rebel “is a nice horse,” O’Neill said, emphasis on nice. “He’s got a lot of natural speed. He ran lights-out, and he continued to train really well.” Thirsty Rebel, by Stay Thirsty, will be ridden by Abel Lezcano and enters as the most likely winner of the I’m Smokin.
Saul Elliott won his debut at Santa Anita, then shipped to Churchill Downs for the Bashford Manor Stakes in June. He finished sixth of seven. Saul Elliot is by Listing, out of the Indian Charlie mare Cryptic, was bred by Reddam Racing and is owned by Here We Go Brothers and Seymour Jukie and Jack Stable. He has one win in two starts and earnings of $37,750.
“It was a hot day back there, he just didn’t fire,” O’Neill said. “He bled a little bit. We got him cleaned up and he’s been working well. We’re expecting a good effort from him.”
Antonio Fresu rides Saul Elliott.
California Thoroughbred Breeders Sale Winter Mixed Sale graduate Desert Dawg is by Stay Thirsty, out of the El Corredor mare Shazara, was bred by Terry Lovingier, is owned by David Hinkins and trained by Adan Farias. The $12,000 purchase at the CTBA Winter Mixed Sale from the Lovacres Ranch consignment won his lone start June 27 with earnings of $18,000.
Another Bulleit is by I’ll Have Another, out of the Even the Score mare Silver Score and was bred by owner and trainer Paula Capestro. He is a maiden making his third start with earnings of $19,200.
Max Ciao is by Maxfield, out of the Flatter mare Bella Ciao, was bred by Terry Lovingier, is owned by Knapp, Lovingier or Moroney and is trained by Steve Knapp. He has one win in three starts, earnings of $60,000 and is coming off an Aug. 8 maiden win.
Fionello is by Stay Thirsty, out of the Ghostzapper mare My Fiona, was bred by Terry Lovingier, is owned by Lovingier, Moroney or Grey, at al and trained by Steve Knapp. He has one win in two starts, earnings of $42,000 and is coming off a fourth in the Aug. 8 Graduation Stakes.
The $100,000 I’m Smokin, previously six furlongs, is shortened this year to 5 1/2 furlongs.