Grand Slam Smile shows new dimension in comeback win

CYPRESS, Calif. – Grand Slam Smile won in a different manner in an allowance race on Saturday at Los Alamitos than in her preceding six wins – she fought back after being passed.

In her first start since November, Grand Slam Smile set the early pace, briefly lost her advantage to Ma Rae’s Girl, and then rallied to retake the lead, eventually winning by 2 1/2 lengths.

The style of the win left trainer Sean McCarthy slightly stunned, but delighted.

“I was concerned, put it that way,” McCarthy said.

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Grand Slam Smile, a winner of 7 of 12 starts, started for McCarthy for the first time in the allowance race at 6 1/2 furlongs. Owned and bred by Larry and Marianne Williams of Idaho, Grand Slam Smile was previously trained in Northern California by Steve Specht. Over the winter, Specht retired from training after the Northern California circuit ceased racing.

McCarthy said Sunday that Grand Slam Smile will be considered for two turf stakes for fillies and mares at Del Mar – the restricted $100,000 Osunitas Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on July 20 or the $150,000 Solana Beach Stakes for California-breds on Aug. 17.

The main goal, McCarthy said, is the Solana Beach.

“We’ll see how she’s doing and whether to pick a race in between,” he said.

Grand Slam Smile has won five stakes, including three on dirt and two on turf. A 4-year-old filly by Smiling Tiger, Grand Slam Smile has earned $564,620.

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