Yesbyjimminy a Calder Home Team Threat in Smile Sprint

The headline news a week ahead of the $1.45 million Summit of Speed program next Saturday at Calder Race Course is in part led by the return appearance of IEAH Stables and partners' 2008 Eclipse champion Benny the Bull set to defend his title in the $350,000 Smile Sprint Handicap (G1).

However, several accomplished Calder-based sprint stakes runners are expected to line up for the race, including Trilogy Stable's 5-year-old Florida homebred Yesbyjimminy, who reeled off six consecutive victories over his home track last year for trainer Eddie Plesa, Jr.

Yesbyjimminy comes into the race after a disappointing fourth-place effort behind How's Your Halo in the Ponche Handicap on Summit Preview day, June 13, when bet down to 8-to-5; but had some excuses, including a poor start. The son of Yes It's True has been generally consistent throughout his career with a 24-11-3-3 record for earnings of $583,440.

"Actually, I can attribute his performance in the Ponche to a combination of factors," said Plesa Friday morning. "He got off to a very awkward start and ended up 12 or so lengths behind at one point, which is just not him. He's usually up near the pace, at least. Also, it was his first start in over three months.

"He may have been a little rusty off the layoff, but he's doing well now and will have no excuse this time. However, we are realistic with Benny the Bull in there, and if he runs his race, we could only be running for second or third."

Yesbyjimminy has made one previous appearance on Summit day, finishing third in the 2007 Carry Back Stakes (G2) as a 3-year-old behind California invader Black Seventeen and Kentucky shipper Teuflesberg. ‘Jimminy' scored his biggest career victory in the Kenny Noe, Jr. Handicap (G3) here in mid-December, scoring by 2 ¾ lengths over It's a Bird. Paco Lopez will be aboard for the Smile.

Leading the Calder team expected for the Smile is Brian Prichard's How's You Halo, runner-up to Benny the Bull in the race last year as a 50-to-1 longshot. However, the 6-year-old son of Halo's Image will get considerably more respect in next Saturday's edition after posting a Grade 2 victory in the Richter Scale Stakes at Gulfstream Park early this season and drawing off to win the Ponche by four lengths in 1:11 flat.

Another past winner of the Smile Sprint will not be up to running in the race next Saturday, but is working on the comeback trail. Rustlewood Farm's 6-year-old Florida homebred Mach Ride won the 2007 renewal of the Smile for trainer Steve Standridge.

A son of Pentelicus, Mach Ride breezed a half-mile in 50 1/5 Friday morning, his third recorded workout since coming off the farm with Peter Gulyas now trainer of record, although Standridge continues to be an advisor to the owners. Mach Ride has been on the sidelines for nearly 18 months, principally due to nagging problems with his feet. In his last start, he finished third to Benny the Bull in the Sunshine Millions Sprint at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 26, 2008 and had trouble at the break and during the running of the race.

Charlie Papa a Favorite in Connie Ann Overnight Sunday - On Turf?

Kennedy and Hess Thoroughbred Racing's 8-year-old mare Charlie Papa was entered in the $55,000 Cool Air overnight stakes at Calder Race Course on May 30, but was scratched after the five-furlong sprint was forced off turf and run on a ‘sloppy' main track.

Trained by Connie Kendall and based near Tampa Bay Downs, Charlie Papa and her connections will try again Sunday to get the daughter of Indian Charlie on the Calder course in the $55,000 Connie Ann overnight stakes, scheduled for five furlongs on turf with Sebastian Madrid named to ride.

Charlie Papa has won both of her two previous starts at Calder, capturing the Cool Air in 2007 and again in 2008 on turf after spending much of her early career in the claiming ranks. Kendall claimed her for her current owners for $12,500 at Tampa Bay Downs early in 2005. She finished fourth last out as the favorite in the Buckland Farm Stakes at Colonial Downs on June 20 going 5 ½ furlongs.

Other contenders in the field of 10 fillies and mares entered in the Connie Ann include Tanourin Stable's 6-year-old mare Bereba and Desperado Stables' 4-year-old filly Rate of Exchange, second and third, respectively, in the off-the-turf Cool Air won by Marina Ballerina. The latter will be the leading local hope in next Saturday's renewal of the $350,000 Princess Rooney Handicap (G1).

Leading rider Manoel Cruz has the call on Bereba, who will be a threat on turf or the main track. Trained by Rodolfo Garcia, the daughter of Exchange Rate finished second by a length behind Charlie Papa in last year's edition of the Cool Air and was beaten only a half-length in the race this season on May 30, her first start since Jan. 3 at Tampa Bay Downs.

Rate of Exchange also is by Exchange Rate and was beaten only 1 ½ lengths by Marina Ballerina in the Cool Air. Trained by Marty Wolfson, Rate of Exchange came back at five furlongs on turf in the Reappeal overnight on June 20 against male rivals, but was virtually eliminated after a poor start left her last of 10 early. However, she rallied to finish fifth, beaten only 2 ¼ lengths for it all by the winner.

Completing the field for the Connie Ann are James Dodge and Bates Stable's Romantica, Joel Sainer's Wicked Woman of Ny, Joseph Balsamo's Elle Cashareau, White Cross Stable's Fly Express, Jose Pinchin's Banga Ridge, J D Farm's Ashley River and Robert Pastor's Star Operator.