Santa Anita Stable Notes Monday, Oct. 12, 2026

STABLE NOTES BY VICTOR RYAN

MONDAY, OCT. 12, 2026

• GRAND SLAM SMILE ‘DOING GREAT’ AFTER SATURDAY THRILLER • $19K CARRYOIVER IN $1 PLACE PICK 8 MONDAY • LURE, ANOAKIA STAKES ON TAP NEXT WEEKEND • JOCKEY BAUTISTA GRADUATES TO JOURNEYMAN AFTER 40th WIN

GRAND SLAM SMILE ‘DOING GREAT’ AFTER SATURDAY THRILLER

The day after surpassing $1 million in earnings with a thrilling win in the California Distaff Handicap, California-bred darling Grand Slam Smile was bright and alert and enjoying a leisurely morning in trainer Sean McCarthy’s barn.

“All good. Doing great,” McCarthy said.

In the California Distaff for statebreds going 6 ½ furlongs on turf, Grand Slam Smile came from off the pace and used one final surge near the wire to edge past Miso Phansy and win by a head.
Grand Slam Smile prevailed while carrying an impost of 128 pounds, which was 10 pounds more than the runner-up. The victory was her 12th stakes win in 24 starts and pushed her earnings to $1,057,120 for owners-breeders Larry D. Williams and Marianna Williams.

Grand Slam Smile also won the 2024 California Distaff under 120 pounds when trained by the now retired Steve Specht.

“She overcame some adversity yesterday. Normally she jumps out there on top,” McCarthy said. “She broke well but like Juan said, she broke well and then just kind of sat. He thought that I’ll just sit here with you. It looked like she was traveling well. Then about the three-eighths pole he asked her to engage and she did. When she turned for home, she kicked it into gear. I think when (Miso Phansy) got to her, it really drove her to the wire. She just has a ton of heart.”

McCarthy added the win was particularly satisfying as it came following a rare two-race losing streak for Grand Slam Smile. a 5-year-old mare by Smiling

“I was really happy she got over a million dollars with a win. I wanted it to happen that way,” McCarthy said. “It was a hell of a race and I’m just so proud of her to have two sub-par efforts and then jump up with a win like that.”

The California Distaff was Grand Slam Smile’s eighth start this year and fourth stakes win. Last year, she started five times. Largely due to that fact, McCarthy indicated he’s in no rush for Grand Slam Smile’s next start. Last year, after finishing second by a head in the California Distaff under 126 pounds, Grand Slam Smile returned a month later at Del Mar and won the Betty Grable for statebreds going seven furlongs on the main track.

“The Betty Grable is coming up and obviously she won that race last year, but I’m not set on it,” McCarthy said. “She’s had a pretty good campaign this year. I’ll let her tell us, and she will.”

Grand Slam Smile is a 5-year-old mare by Smiling Tiger out of the winning Grand Slam mare Royal Grand Slam. At this point, there’s a good chance she could race again next year, McCarthy said.

“Talking to (Williams’ racing manager) Dan Kaiser yesterday, if she’s sound and still willing, they’ll go next year. It’s really up to her and how she is.”

$19K CARRYOVER IN $1 PLACE PICK 8 FOR MONDAY’S CARD

The $1 Place Pick 8 for Monday’s 10-race card has a carryover of $19,547. The Place Pick 8, a new addition at the Autumn Meet, challenges players to select a horse to win or finish second in each of the final eight races on the program. The wager features a player-friendly 15 percent takeout rate.

Monday’s Place Pick 8 starts with the third race at approximately 2 p.m. PT.

LURE, ANOAKIA STAKES ON TAP THIS WEEKEND

The stakes action this weekend will include the listed Lure Stakes on Saturday and Anoakia Stakes on Sunday. The field for the Lure along with the rest of Saturday’s will be set on Monday. Sunday’s program will be drawn tomorrow.

The Lure at one mile on turf is for horses which have not won a sweepstakes of $60,000 at one mile or over other than statebred in 2026. The Anoakia is for 2-year-old fillies going six furlongs.

On Friday, Santa Anita kicks off the upcoming three-day race week with a nine-race card starting at 1 p.m. PT.

FINISH LINES: Jockey Alfredo Bautista is now a journeyman after winning his 40th Thoroughbred race Sunday night at Los Alamitos. As a result, all three of his mounts on Monday’s card at Santa Anita will carry five more pounds than is listed in the program. Bautista, a 28-year-old native of Mexico, won Los Al’s second race Sunday aboard favorite Charmed Dream ($4.40) for trainer Jorge Farias to graduate from his apprenticeship. Bautista is represented by legendary 94-year-old jockey’s agent Vince DeGregory…Entering day 10 of the 19-day Autumn Meet Monday, the races are tight for both leading jockey and leading trainer. On the jockey’s side, Emisael Jaramillo holds a slim lead over Juan Hernandez. Jaramillo has ridden 12 winners from 39 mounts—a robust 31 percent strike rate—while Hernandez has won 10 races from 57 mounts (18 percent). In the trainer’s category, Doug O’Neill leads John Sadler by a single victory. O’Neill has won eight races from 26 starters (31 percent), while John Sadler has won seven races with 26 starters.