Two sprint champs on the way to Calder

MIAMI - When the powers that be at Calder Race Course conceived the Summit of Speed in 2000, they did so with the hopes it would attract premier sprinters from around the country to south Florida. And thus far, the event has exceeded all expectations.

But never could track management have imagined the windfall that will come its way for Saturday's 10th renewal of the Summit of Speed, which has lured not one but both reigning Eclipse Award sprint champions - Benny the Bull for the Grade 2 Smile and Indian Blessing to the Grade 1 Princess Rooney Handicap.

The Smile and Princess Rooney, both worth $350,000, are two of the seven stakes, four of them graded, to be decided on Saturday's card. The Smile and Princess Rooney will be supported on the 13-race program by the Grade 2 Carry Back for 3-year-olds and the Grade 3 Azalea for 3-year-old fillies. The races were drawn on Monday.

While Benny the Bull and Indian Blessing bring plenty of star power to town, they both come with some giant question marks to answer. Neither has won a race this year. Benny the Bull will be making just his second start since returning from an injury that at one point last summer had apparently ended his racing career, and he remains winless since his victory in the 2008 Smile. Indian Blessing is without a victory since the Grade 1 La Brea on Dec. 27 and is coming off the poorest performance of her career in Hollywood Park's ungraded Desert Stormer just four weeks ago.

The Smile drew a field of six and includes How's Your Halo, who finished second behind Benny the Bull in this race last year. The remainder of the lineup is made up of Ikigai, Eaton's Gift, Yesbyjimminy, and Processor's Turf. Benny the Bull will carry high weight of 124 pounds, the same impost he toted to his victory here a year ago, with regular rider Edgar Prado in the saddle.

The Princess Rooney, the lone Grade 1 race on the Calder stakes schedule, attracted a field of nine fillies and mares. Joining Indian Blessing in the lineup are fellow shippers Game Face, Dubai Majesty, and Keep the Peace. The local contingent includes a trio from trainer Marty Wolfson's barn - Jessica Is Back, B R's Girl, and Pious Ashley - along with the speedy Marina Ballerina and Orinoquia.

Indian Blessing will carry top weight of 123 pounds, including jockey Mike Smith.

Marina Ballerina, who captured the U Can Do It Handicap four weeks ago, worked a bullet half-mile in 47.40 seconds here on Monday. Wolfson's three hopefuls also breezed Monday morning, with B R's Girl's half-mile in 49.00 the fastest of the group.

A field of just six 3-year-old colts was entered for the Carry Back, including Ask Joe, who had to be supplemented at a cost of $4,000. Three others will also ship in for the race, led by California invaders Truest Legend and Wall Street Wonder, along with the Maryland-based Not for Silver. You Luckie Mann should prove formidable defending his home turf, along with Prince Joshua.

The Bob Baffert-trained Underground, a sensational winner of her only start, should be favored to beat an Azalea field that includes Cassidy's Pride, Royal Card, R Brown, Sugar, Donttellmewhattodo, Going to the Sun, Kays and Jays, Time Well Spent, and First Passage.