Santa Anita Stable Notes Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025

STABLE NOTES BY VICTOR RYAN

SATURDAY, OCT. 11, 2025

Mr. & Mrs. Larry D. Williams’ Grand Slam Smile and jockey William Antongeorgi III, right, outleg Sneaker (Kazushi Kimura), left, to win the $150,000 Solana Beach Stakes Sunday, August 17, 2025 at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Del Mar, CA.
Benoit Photo

CALIF. DISTAFF: GRAND SLAM SMILE IS BACK WITH NEW TRAINER
WORKS: NEVADA BEACH, FULL SERRANO RETURN TO TAB
CARRYOVERS: $54K IN $1 SUNSET PICK 6, $48K IN $1 COAST TO COAST
LONGTIME EQUINE TAX ATTORNEY CRAIGO PASSES AWAY AT AGE 91
SPECIAL HOLIDAY CARD MONDAY PART OF 4-DAY RACE WEEK

CALIF. DISTAFF: GRAND SLAM SMILE SEEKS REPEAT WITH NEW TRAINER
A year ago, Grand Slam Smile bagged her fifth stakes win versus California-breds when scoring in the California Distaff Handicap for statebred fillies and mares at about 6 ½ furlongs on the hillside turf course. She’ll seek a repeat in this year’s California Distaff on Sunday, but this time for a different trainer and jockey.
Grand Slam Smile made her first 11 starts including last year’s California Distaff for trainer Steve Specht. While with Specht, Grand Slam Smile also won the Fasig-Tipton Debutante Stakes and Golden State Juvenile Fillies as a 2-year-old, both at Santa Anita, then in 2024 added wins in the California Cup Oaks and Melair Stakes prior to her victory in the California Distaff.
In December, Specht retired from training at the age of 74. Grand Slam Smile subsequently needed a trainer. Sean McCarthy got the call from owners-breeders Mr. and Mrs. Larry D. Williams.
“It was terrific,” McCarthy said of receiving Grand Slam Smile. “I think Steve had a big part in it. I think he recommended me. I’ve never trained for them before but had always admired them from afar. They run a good outfit.
“Steve drove her down from Northern California and delivered her himself. I could tell by the look on his face it was like he was dropping his daughter off to the first day of kindergarten.”
A 4-year-old filly by Smiling Tiger, Grand Slam Smile made her first start for McCarthy in June at Los Alamitos. She beat open company in a second-level allowance going 6 ½ furlongs. Grand Slam Smile has since finished second in the Osuntias in July and won the Solana Beach on Aug. 17, both at one mile on turf at Del Mar.
“She’s been very forward. We have had to get used to what her needs are, and she has had to get used to our program—which is, we work our program around her,” McCarthy said with a laugh.
In last year’s California Distaff, Grand Slam Smile stalked the pace in second under Frank Alvarado and then kicked clear to win by one length. On Sunday, Grand Slam Smile will look to make it back-to-back wins as the 6-5 morning line favorite. She’ll tote highweight of 125 pounds with jockey William Antongeorgi III aboard, which is from two to seven pounds more than her four rivals.
Grand Slam Smile’s chief rivals are 3-2 second choice Bit’s Tiger Magic, who makes her stakes debut for trainer Peter Miller; and Sneaker, a statebred stakes winner for trainer George Papaprodromou.
“Small fields can be difficult,” McCarthy said. “Peter’s horse (Bit’s Tiger Magic) has a lot of speed and is in good form herself. We’ll just play the break. She’s tactical. It will just depend on the pace and how she breaks.”
The California Distaff goes as the first race on a 10-race card Sunday. Post time is 1 p.m. PT. The field in post position order: Grand Slam Smile, William Antongeorgi III (6-5); Issa Court, Hector Berrios (10-1); Bit’s Tiger Magic, Juan Hernandez (3-2); Sneaker, Umberto Rispoli (9-2); Moment’s Pleasure, Kazushi Kimura (6-1).

WORKS: NEVADA BEACH BACK ON TAB AFTER GI GOODWOOD WIN
Nevada Beach and Full Serrano returned to the work tab Saturday after finishing one-two in the GI Goodwood Stakes on Sept. 27 at Santa Anita.
Nevada Beach, who beat Full Serrano by 1 ½ lengths in the 1 1/8-mile Goodwood, worked five furlongs in 1:01 for trainer Bob Baffert. The 3-year-old colt by Omaha Beach is preparing for a start in the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 1 at Del Mar.
Full Serrano worked four furlongs in 48.40 seconds for trainer John Sadler. The 6-year-old horse by Full Mast is expected to try and defend his title in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile.
Also working towards Breeders’ Cup starts for Baffert were Seismic Beauty (Distaff) and Hope Road (Filly & Mare Sprint). Seismic Beauty, winner of the GI Clement L. Hirsch last out on Aug. 2, worked five furlongs in 59.40 seconds. Hope Road, winner of the GI Ballerina at Saratoga Aug. 23, also worked five furlongs in 59.40 seconds.
Returning to the tab for trainer Phil D’Amato was Grade I winner Gold Phoenix, who drilled four furlongs in 50.0 seconds. It was his first work since winning the GII John Henry Turf Championship on Sept. 27 at Santa Anita. The veteran gelding is ticketed for a fourth attempt at winning the Breeders’ Cup Turf on Nov. 1.
Getting back on the tab for trainer Richard Baltas was Sweet Azteca, who is a candidate for the Filly & Mare Sprint. A 5-year-old mare by Sharp Azteca, Sweet Azteca drilled five furlongs in 59.20 seconds. It was her first work in 20 days. Sweet Azteca most recently won the GIII Rancho Bernardo on Aug. 24 at Del Mar.
Also working for Baltas was Grade I winner AG Bullet (5f, 59.20).

LONGTIME EQUINE TAX ATTORNEY CRAIGO PASSES AWAY AT AGE 91
Longtime equine tax attorney Richard Craigo passed away on Oct. 6 in Los Angeles, Calif. He was 91.
Born April 30, 1934 in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Craigo developed a love of horse racing at an early age. He would often sneak away to watch the races at Oaklawn Park, home of the Arkansas Derby.
After earning his B.A. from the University of Arkansas, Richard served three years in the U.S. Air Force. His first civilian summer was spent in Lexington, Ky., working at John D. Hertz’s Stoner Creek Farm as an assistant to the famed farm manager Charlie Kenny.
Craigo graduated with honors (Law Review and Order of the Coif) from the University of Southern California Law School and was admitted to the California State Bar in 1967. A certified tax specialist, he devoted his practice almost exclusively to equine matters. He was especially adept at handling IRS challenges under the so-called “Hobby Loss” cases against the IRS, successfully negotiating every one of his 150 completed negotiations with the agency.
In 1976, Craigo was elected to a three-year term as President of the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA), California Division. At the time, he was the youngest person ever elected to the post. During his tenure, the HBPA launched the current backstretch pension plan, secured owners’ rights to have interest earned on purse accounts added to purse monies, and achieved the first nationally recognized simulcast legislation. Richard served as HBPA’s National Vice-President from 1977-1979.
Over the course of his distinguished career, Craigo represented more than 200 owners, breeders, trainers, veterinarians, and bloodstock agents worldwide. His clients included many of the sport’s most prominent figures, among them Willie Shoemaker, Charlie Whittingham, Bob and Beverly Lewis, Allen Paulson, B. Wayne Hughes, Mike Pegram, Donald Valpredo, Martin Wygod, Tommy Town Thoroughbreds, Mickey and Karen Taylor, and the National Turf Writers Association. He took special pride in standing in the winner’s circle with clients for four Kentucky Derby wins.
Craigo was the prevailing attorney in several significant tax cases, including Tolin v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo 2014-233, and Roberts v. Commissioner, decided by the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. He was a frequent lecturer before horse owner and breeder groups on equine taxation, syndication, and related topics, including twelve appearances before the American Horse Council. He also authored numerous articles published in leading industry journals, including The Thoroughbred Record, California Thoroughbred, Thoroughbred Times, Hackney World, The Horsemen’s Journal, Daily Racing Form, and Blood Horse, among others.
Craigo’s devotion to his clients never wavered. Though he gradually reduced his workload in later years, he never formally retired.
Craigo was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Lelia “Cis” Wright and Ann Dougherty; and his nephews, Craig Wright and Harry Kenneth “Butch” Dougherty (Cathy). He is survived by his daughter, Brittany; son-in-law Mark Maldonado; grandchildren Hannah and Micah; niece Stacy McDaniel (Jim); legal assistant Crystal Banks; and dear friend Noreen Sullivan.

FINISH LINES: There is a $54,236 carryover in Saturday’s $1 Sunset Pick Six and a $48,661 carryover in the $1 Coast-to-Coast Pick 5. The Sunset Pick Six, which combines the final three races from Santa Anita and Gulfstream Park, starts at 2:07 p.m. PT with the ninth race from Gulfstream Park. The Coast to Coast starts at 1:35 p.m. with the eighth race from Gulfstream…Trainer Antonio Flores broke his Santa Anita maiden when winning Friday’s eighth race with Auditory ($3.60), ridden by Edgar Payeras. It was Flores’s fourth starter at Santa Anita. According to Equibase, Flores overall has won four races from 24 starters since 2024…A special 10-race holiday card is set for Monday starting at 1 p.m. As part of the holiday festivities, on-track fans will receive free parking, $2 beer and hot dogs and $1 sodas…Santa Anita simulcast host, analyst and reporter Millie Ball will be host Tom Quigley’s handicapping guest Sunday on the Santa Anita simulcast feed starting at 11:50 a.m. PT.

SANTA ANITA STATISTICS

(Current Through Friday, October 10, 2025 Inclusive)

Jockey

Mts

1st

2nd

3rd

Win%

ITM%

Money Won
Umberto Rispoli

37

12

7

6

32%

68%

$881,920
Juan Hernandez

39

12

6

2

31%

51%

$903,400
Hector Berrios

32

8

3

4

25%

47%

$499,440
Armando Ayuso

42

7

5

4

17%

38%

$346,150
Kazushi Kimura

44

4

8

8

9%

45%

$416,260
Tyler Baze

26

3

3

3

12%

35%

$126,340
Mike Smith

16

3

2

1

19%

38%

$376,600
Ricardo Gonzalez

24

3

1

3

13%

29%

$159,760
Abel Lezcano

24

2

4

3

8%

38%

$130,730
Mirco Demuro

17

2

3

2

12%

41%

$171,580
Trainer

Sts

1st

2nd

3rd

Win%

ITM%

Money Won
Philip D’Amato

29

10

5

4

34%

66%

$663,340
Bob Baffert

23

6

3

5

26%

61%

$859,800
John W. Sadler

18

4

3

1

22%

44%

$262,420
Doug F. O’Neill

32

3

2

3

9%

25%

$172,050
Richard E. Mandella

7

3

2

1

43%

86%

$187,900
G. Papaprodromou

12

3

1

3

25%

58%

$168,760
Jeff Mullins

15

3

1

3

20%

47%

$294,580
Michael W. McCarthy

17

3

1

3

18%

41%

$210,700
Richard Baltas

15

3

1

1

20%

33%

$106,170
Mark Glatt

23

2

7

4

9%

57%

$239,440