MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (July 5, 2008) - Leading sprinters from major racing centers coast-to-coast will be invading South Florida to contest the four Graded stakes worth $1.3 million to be run on next Saturday’s ‘Summit of Speed’ program at Calder Race Course with most arriving on Tex Sutton Forwarding charter flights on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Tuesday’s flight will come from New York and will be arriving into nearby Opa Locka Airport in mid-morning with the contingent led by IEAH Stables and partners’ 5-year-old Benny the Bull, the top-ranked sprinter in North America and likely odds-on favorite for the $400,000 Smile Sprint Handicap (G2) for trainer Rick Dutrow.

Five fillies and mares expected to contest the $400,000 Princess Rooney Handicap (G1) are booked on that flight, including Minor Stables’ 4-year-old filly Dream Rush, the probable favorite for trainer Rick Violette. The others are Puglisi Stables and trainer Steve Klesaris’ Miraculous Miss, Lansdon Robbins III’s Looky Yonder (Rick Dutrow), J. Paul Reddam’s Mistical Plan (Doug O’Neill) and Red Oak Farm’s Casino Transaction (Greg Sacco).

Two rivals for Benny the Bull in the Smile Sprint will be on the plane with S. Stephen Atkins’ 6-year-old gelding Man of Danger coming up from Monmouth Park to board the flight for trainer Bruce Levine and Lindy Redding’s 4-year-old gelding Ravalo shipping to New York from Laurel Park for trainer Donald Barr.

Also on the Tuesday plane will be Vinery Stable’s 3-year-old colt Lantana Mob, expected to be one of the favorites in the $250,000 Carry Back Stakes (G2) for trainer Michael Trombetta, and Bahadur Cheema’s 3-year-old filly Dancing Allstar coming from Woodbine to catch the flight for trainer Terry Jordon as one of the favorites for the $250,000 Azalea Stakes (G3).

Wednesday’s flight will originate from Ontario Airport near Los Angeles and stop in Louisville, Ky. before arriving into Miami by mid-afternoon. Among those booked from California is Southern Equine Stable’s 3-year-old colt Salute the Sarge to run in the Carry Back for trainer Eric Guillot.

Among those confirmed to board in Kentucky are Maggi Moss’ 5-year-old Indian Chant to run in the Smile Sprint for trainer Tom Amoss and Eagle Valley Farm’s 3-year-old filly Grand Obsession to contest the Azalea Stakes for trainer Eddie Kenneally. Due this afternoon on a FedEx flight from Northern California to run in the Azalea is Jill and David Heerensperger’s 3-year-old filly Indyanne for trainer Greg Gilchrist.

Probable fields as of Saturday morning include:

+ $400,000 Smile Sprint Handicap (G2) – Benny the Bull, Blue Pepsi Lodge, How’s Your Halo, Indian Chant, Man of Danger, Paradise Dancer, Ravalo and Rockerfeller.
+ $400,000 Princess Rooney Handicap (G1) – Beraba, Casino Transaction, Dixie Dreamer, Dream Rush, Looky Yonder, Miraculous Miss, Mistical Plan and Rgirldoesn’tbluff.
+ $250,000 Carry Back Stakes (G2) – Gentleman James, Golden Spikes, Lantana Mob, Make Me Zach and Salute the Sarge.
+ $250,000 Azalea Stakes (G3) – Dancing Allstar, Dite Moi, Grand Obsession, Indyanne, Orinoquia and Sadie’s Time.

The post time schedule for the four stakes has also been set:

Race Stakes Estimated post time
7 $250,000 Azalea Stakes (G3) 3:30 p.m.
8 $250,000 Carry Back Stakes (G2) 3:58 p.m.
9 $400,000 Princess Rooney Handicap (G1) 4:26 p.m.
10 $400,000 Smile Sprint Handicap (G2) 4:54 p.m.