$100,000 FASIG-TIPTON DEBUTANTE STAKES QUOTES

JOCKEY QUOTES

FRANK ALVARADO, GRAND SLAM SMILE, WINNER: “It’s a beautiful day today, my boss (Steve Specht) asked me if I wanted to ride the filly and he gave me a shot to ride down here. We knew this filly was something special from the very beginning and he told me, ‘Hey, stay with her.’

“Everyone was in the same boat at the gate, everyone is walking and waiting. I was worried a little bit because it is hot and she had never been in this kind of heat, but she handled it pretty good.

“At the three-eighth pole I went inside a bit and I thought I had it, the only horse that concerned me was Bonde’s (Crazy Hot) because she was outside and she put a little pressure. I didn’t want her to pass me and get dirt in my filly’s face because she never had dirt on her face before, but she handled it pretty good.”

TRAINER QUOTES

STEVEN SPECHT, GRAND SLAM SMILE, WINNER: “She handled the dirt just fine. You never really know until you put them on it. Galloping versus running isn’t the same thing and she seemed to handle it fine. I’ve been here a couple of days and missed a couple day of training since they shut the track down at (Golden Gate Fields) undenounced to anyone, but she handled it okay.

“I kept watching her and had my camera on her, she wasn’t acting up or getting crazy. She had a little sweat on her but figures there would be, it’s hot out today. But she was keeping her composure pretty good and everyone is in the same boat and have to deal with the same stuff.

“I got a little worried when they got into the lane, I didn’t want that outside horse to drop in on me. She got back up in there and managed to run them down late. She ran a god race, I was happy. (Del Mar) is probably going to be our only opportunity, there are a couple of nice Cal-Bred stakes there and she will be in them.”

NOTES: The winning owner/breeder is Mr. and Mrs. Larry D. Williams.