Del Mar Picks | Fleet Treat Stakes 2024

Grand Slam Smile, a quick 3-year-old daughter of Smiling Tiger, heads a field of 11 named to run Friday in the 39th edition of the Fleet Treat Stakes, a seven-furlong dash for California-bred sophomore fillies at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club.

The test will go as Race 7 on an eight-race card at the seaside oval. It will be the feature on a popular “Four O’Clock Friday” program, meaning first post that afternoon is at 4 p.m.

The chestnut miss, owned and bred by Mr.-Mrs. Larry D. Williams, has an impressive five wins and two seconds in seven lifetime starts, including four stakes tallies. Her most recent outing was a handy four and a half-length triumph in the Melair Stakes at Santa Anita, a score that pushed her bankroll to $404,900.

Since that victory, veteran Northern California trainer Steve Specht has keep his filly primarily up north and in steady training. On Friday, he’ll once again give rider Frank Alvarado a leg up on his charge, just as he has for all of her other seven starts.

The $150,000 Fleet Treat is part of the $4.45-million Golden State Stakes Series for California-breds run at tracks throughout the state. It is one of the eight Cal-bred offerings scheduled at Del Mar this summer.

Besides the stakes and the good racing lineup, Del Mar also will salute a man many racing fans recall with fond memories.

Race 3 on the card has been named in honor of the Hall of Fame rider Don Pierce, who’ll be on hand and in the winners circle for a salute. Many of the riders in the current jockey colony will join the now 87-year-old for his tribute. Pierce won more than 3,500 races, including many major stakes, in a stellar riding career that lasted for more than 30 years.