Shake You Down strong in Smile

MIAMI - Shake You Down solidified his standing as one of the premier sprinters in the country by winning the $500,000 by 8 1/4 lengths over Private Horde and 11 other speedsters on Saturday at Calder.

The $500,000 Smile for males, along with the $500,000 Princess Rooney for fillies and mares, topped Calder's $1.75 million Summit of Speed, which consisted of six stakes for sprinters.

Shake You Down's victory also completed a pick five payoff worth $11,260.40 for a $1 ticket. The other winners were Joe's Son Joey (Turf Sprint), Ebony Breeze (Azalea), Valid Video (Carry Back), and Gold Mover (Princess Rooney). The pool for the pick five was a record $528,266.

Shake You Down came into the Grade 3 Smile on a four-race win streak that included victories in the Grade 3 Bold Ruler and Grade 2 True North handicaps in his previous two starts. Despite breaking from post 13 and carrying high weight of 119 pounds, Shake You Down quickly assumed striking position just off the pace of Here's Zealous, overtook the leader entering the stretch, and steadily drew off to a one-sided victory.

Private Horde rallied mildly near the inside to outfinish Shake You Down's uncoupled stablemate My Cousin Matt by three-quarters of a length for second money.

Shake You Down, the slight betting favorite, paid $7.60 after covering six furlongs in 1:10.03. Mike Luzzi rode the winner for owner Robert Cole Jr. and trainer Scott Lake.

"I didn't mind drawing post 13," said Lake. "I really saw it as an advantage because he doesn't have to be in front early and he could just sit outside the speed."

Lake is hoping Shake You Down will follow in the footsteps of Orientate who won the Breeders' Cup Sprint and an Eclipse Award following his victory in the Smile Sprint.

"The goal now is to get him to the Breeders' Cup," said Lake. "How we get there is still open."

Combined mutuel handle on the Calder card of $10,541,440 was an all-time track record. Ontrack attendance was 10,760.