Grand Slam II filling up

MIAMI - It looks like Christmas will be coming early for Calder's racing secretary, Mike Anifantis, who appears to be getting just about every horse on his wish list for next Saturday's Grand Slam II program.

Among the turf specialists expected to show up for the Grade 2 W.L. McKnight Handicap are Revved Up and Soldier's Dancer, who finished 1-2, noses apart, in the Bonnie Heath Turf Cup, a race that to this point is arguably the highlight of the 2007 Calder season. They could be joined in the starting gate by a group that includes Crown Point, Dancing Forever, Interpatation, Love Dubai, Royal Challenger, and the 2004 McKnight champion, Dreadnaught.

Another possibility for the McKnight is Stream of Gold, runner-up to English Channel in the Grade 1 Turf Classic and fourth in the Grade 1 Canadian International on Oct. 21.

Soldier's Dancer worked six furlongs over the main track in 1:15 at Calder on Saturday. Interpatation worked Saturday at Gulfstream Park, covering five furlongs in 1:00.

Revved Up will carry high weight of 120 pounds in the 1 1/2-mile McKnight, two more than Stream of Gold.

"We appear to be getting just about everybody we would have wanted to get," Anifantis said. "The only one we haven't heard a yes or no from yet would be Dave."

Dave, winner of the Grade 2 Red Smith Handicap, worked five furlongs in 59.60 seconds at Gulfstream on Saturday.

The Grade 2 La Prevoyante, the filly and mare counterpart to the McKnight, is also coming up strong, with a field that is expected to be led by Dalvina (117 pounds) and Dance Away Capote (116). Dalvina won the Grade 3 Long Island Handicap in her U.S. debut, while Dance Away Coyote is coming off a fifth-place finish in the Grade 1 Matriarch.

"We're still hoping we might also get Barancella," said Anifantis.

Barancella, second in the Long Island, would be the starting highweight under 119 pounds if she ships in.

Camac retiring at meet's end

Charlie Camac, an institution at Calder since the track opened in 1971, will retire at the end of the current meeting on Jan. 2.

Camac, 72, served as the starter beginning in 1971 before moving to the stewards' stand in 1995. He also worked as a steward at Gulfstream Park until this year.

Camac, the son of renowned trainer Charles Camac and nephew of trainer Joseph W. Camac, will be honored in winner's circle festivities here on Thursday.