Super Fuse will ship to New York for next start

MIAMI, Fla. - Super Fuse, the top juvenile sprinter on the grounds with three victories in four career starts, is expected to make his next appearance in Aqueduct's $75,000 Huntington Stakes on Nov. 17.

Super Fuse has earned 99 Beyer Speed Figures for two of his three victories, including his last start, an easy 4 1/4-length triumph in the Birdonthewire Stakes here Oct. 12. A son of Lite the Fuse, Super Fuse's only setback came following a poor start in Delaware's NATC Futurity.

"I'd really prefer not to have to take him on the road at all, but there's nothing here for him," said trainer Richard Ciardullo. "In fact there are very few options around anywhere in the near future. Aside from the Huntington the only other one is the following week at Hoosier Park [Hoosier Juvenile]. And I heard it was 21 degrees there last night. At least it should be a little warmer in New York."

Super Fuse is a Kentucky-bred and thus is ineligible for Saturday's $125,000, seven-furlong Jack Price Juvenile, which is restricted to Florida-breds.

"I haven't done much with him since the Birdonthewire," said Ciardullo. "He two-minute-licked a mile last Saturday and if we go to the Huntington I'll work him once just before he ships out."

Ciardullo said jockey Carlos Gonzalez will accompany Super Fuse to New York for the Huntington.

Summit of Speed purses increased

The Summit of Speed, the richest day of sprint races in the country, will get even richer next season. Calder management has already announced it will increase the purse money for the Grade 2 Princess Rooney and Smile Sprint handicaps from $400,000 to $500,000 in 2003, while also increasing the value of the Grade 3 Azalea Breeders' Cup Stakes and the Carry Back Stakes from $250,000 to $300,000. They will also return the $100,000 Calder Turf Sprint Handicap to the Summit of Speed program after moving it to the Festival of the Sun card this past season.

Along with the increased purse money, the Smile Sprint is almost certain to have graded status next year after reigning champion Orientate came back to win the Breeders' Cup Sprint.

Pincay honored Dec. 21

Calder management has announced it will hold Laffit Pincay Jr. day in honor of the Hall of Fame jockey on Dec. 21.

All paid admissions will receive Laffitt Pincay Jr. bobblehead dolls and posters. Pincay will also be on hand for an autograph session.

Pincay, who was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1975, won the Foolish Pleasure Breeders' Cup Stakes with It'sali'lknownfact here in 1992 and the Princess Rooney Handicap aboard Chaposa Springs in 1996.