Calder Race Course in Miami hosted its Grand Slam II card of racing on Saturday, December 17, with three graded stakes events, including two Grade 2 events at 1 1/2 miles on the turf each with a purse of $200,000.
The W.L. McKnight Handicap was oversubscribed with 16 entrants, so a full gate of 12 went to post. 11-1 shot Wild Buddy set an early pace of 48.60 around the first turn and through the stretch first time by, then 19-1 shot Demeteor took over for the backstretch trip, leading the field into the final stretch through 1 1/4 miles in 2:01.19. Through the lane, 3-1 second choice Meteor Storm, who had been stalking the pace in fourth the whole way, rallied three wide and got 1 1/2 lengths clear with a furlong to go. 2-1 favorite Revved Up had just found his best stride and was closing strongly but he was just short, as Meteor Storm held him off by a neck to win in 2:25.91 over the firm going. It was 1 1/2 lengths back to 52-1 longshot Scooter Reach in third.
Winning rider Javier Castellano said, "This horse runs a good race every time. I think the difference today was getting a perfect trip. We were in excellent position and just waiting to make our move. We were sitting in a better spot than the horse that finished second (Revved Up) and that might have made the difference also." Winning trainer Wally Dollase said, "This was a particularly good win for him because he likes a more yielding course than it was today. He doesn't like it real firm. He'll do whatever his rider asks. Today we wanted him to sit two or three lengths off the pace, which he was able to do, and then he was able to hold off a very good horse." Dollase said Meteor Storm may make his next start in Dubai or in the San Juan Capistrano at Santa Anita, and then may be retired to stud duty in Australia.
The La Prevoyante Handicap featured 12 older fillies and mares. Jockey Jorge Chavez took 103-1 longshot La Sami to the front early through easy fractions of 24.44 and 50.97 over the firm course, before 6-1 shot Spotlight, who had stalked her in second early, took over down the backstretch through 3/4 in 1:15.94 and continued to lead after 1 1/4 miles in 2:03.91. However, jockey Edgar Prado aboard even-money favorite Film Maker was moving well and picking off horses one by one while taking the turn wide. Through the lane, Film Maker would not be denied, passing her tired rivals inside the 1/8 pole to win going away my 3 1/2 lengths over the late-charging 23-1 longshot Kate Winslet in a time of 2:27.75. It was just a neck back to 9-2 shot Noble Stella in third.
Winning trainer H. Graham Motion said, "I was quite confident that she would get the distance and Edgar gave her a beautiful ride. She's had some unfortunate trips, but always runs her race. She makes us look good. Mr. (owner Donald) Adam plans to race her next year. After Christmas, we'll send her to the farm in Ocala for a month off and then pick her up and plan a schedule similar to this year leading to another chance in the Breeders' Cup." Jockey Edgar Prado added, "The race set up perfectly for us. The pace was a little slower than I thought but we were placed right behind the leaders, which is where I wanted to be. I rode her a while ago going one mile and three-eighths and she gave me enough confidence then to believe she would do well going a mile and a half."
Nine older horses (but eight betting interests) entered the gate in the Grade 3 Fred W. Hooper Handicap, a $100,000 event at 1 1/8 miles on the main track. 7-10 co-favorite Andromeda's Hero settled in sixth early, then easily collared stablemate Seek Gold inside the final furlong to win by 1 3/4 lengths in a time of 1:53.46. It was a long 7 lengths back to 6-1 shot Whos Crying Now in third. Winning trainer Nick Zito said, "This was a good starting point for the (winter) season for both of them. He (Andomeda's Hero) ran a big race in the Clark last time out (4th). You can say 'woulda, coulda, shoulda,' but he did have a bad post (11) and a bad trip (wide), and only got beat four lengths." He is considering the Donn Handicap for both Andromeda's Hero and Seek Gold.
On the undercard, a field of seven sprinters went to post in the $100,000 Kenny Noe Jr. Handicap at 7 furlongs on the main track. 7-2 second choice Mister Fotis went to the front right away getting 1/4 in 22.77 and a half in 45.66. Entering the stretch, jockey Jorge Chavez asked him for more run and got it, as he easily drew away to win by 6 3/4 lengths over late-running Storm Surge in a time of 1:22.97 over the fast track. It was just a head back to 9-10 favorite Silver Wagon in third. Trainer Marty Wolfson said Mister Fotis would start next in the Sunshine Millions Sprint at Gulfstream Park on January 28.
