Bahamian Squall Wins Smile Sprint but Off The Jack Doesn’t Return Home

Bahamian Squall and jockey Luis Saez won the 2013 Smile Sprint Handicap and will head to the Breeders’ Cup in November.

Bahamian Squall Wins Smile Sprint but Off The Jack Doesn’t Return Home.

Calder Race Course hosted the Summit of Speed $350,000 Smile Sprint Handicap for a small crowd in the hot South Florida sun on Saturday July 6, 2013. Bahamian Squall and jockey Luis Saez crossed the finish line first in the “Win and You’re In” Breeders’ Cup Challenge race securing the David Fawkes trained colt a spot in the 2013 Breeders’ Cup Sprint on November 2nd.

After his Smile Sprint victory Luis Saez stated, “I had a lot of competition. I concentrated when he broke. I didn’t want to go in front because all the time it’s the same in front. He’s better from behind. So today, two or three horses went in front so I sat in third and fourth. On the turn I moved a little bit when I saw the other horse, the big favorite Trinniberg, come inside. I moved and my horse responded good. He won, thank God.”

David Fawkes commented on Bahamian Squalls future saying, “It’s tough to keep them healthy for a long time. We’ll look at something at Saratoga. Every horse is different but we’ll follow a similar path. Fortunately good horses stay good for a long time.”

Fan favorite Artefacto finished 9th in the 2013 Smile Sprint after a layoff. Trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. stated, “Artefacto wasn’t affected much by the race. It’s only his second race after a long layoff but he looked so confident in front during the race.” Artefacto came out of the race in good condition considering his layoff was due to a minor injury that he bounced back from nicely and remains in good health.

Unfortunately, the Smile wasn’t a happy time for every horse on the field. Off the Jak never crossed the finish line. Fans knew there was trouble after jockey Jose Alvarez hitched a ride from the track ambulance and returned to the finish line with a somber look on his face. Eyewitnesses claimed it appeared that Off the Jak broke a front leg in the early part if the race and was humanely destroyed on the track, which usually means it was a compound fracture. Off the Jack is said to have one of the best personalities at the barn and will be greatly missed. Both Trinniberg and Off the Jak are owned by Sherry Parbhoo and trained by Bisnath Parbhoo.

If you would like to contribute to the South Florida SPCA in honor of Off the Jack, you can do so by donating directly to the SPCA website. It’s always heartbreaking to see a thoroughbred lose his life on the track. All we can do is try to turn a negative into a positive by supporting and helping other horses in need. Please donate today in memory of Off the Jak.

Related Links:
Artefacto Interview
Full Weekend Race Results

2013 Smile Sprint Handicap Results & Payouts:
*In Order Of Finish
7 Bahamian Squall $16.60 to Win/$7.60 to Place/$6.00 to Show
12 Trinniberg $5.00 to Place/$4.00 to Show
11 Jackson Bend $7.00 to Show
4 Justin Phillip, 1 Trickmeister, 10 Close It Out, 5 Black Diamond Cat,
9 Fort Loudon, 13 Artefacto, 6 Apriority, 3 Cajun Breeze

2013 Smile Sprint Handicap Photo Gallery