Will Smoke Glacken Smoke the Field in the DeFrancis?

LAUREL, Md. â€”  Trainer Henry Carroll says 3-year-old Smoke Glacken is the fastest sprinter he has seen in 25 years in the business.

Today at Laurel Park, the colt might need to live up to that billing against an elite field in the eighth running of the $300,000 Grade II Frank J. DeFrancis Memorial Dash.

The DeFrancis is the second richest sprint in the nation behind only the $1-million Breeders’ Cup Sprint.

Smoke Glacken, the early 7-5 betting favorite in the six-furlong event, will be racing against older competition for the first time in his career. Carroll, however, said his horse is ready.

“His last two races convinced me,� Carroll said. “If you’re thinking about a division title, you’ve got to meet the older horses some time.�

The seven-horse field includes J.J.’s Dream, winner of the Chicago Breeders’ Cup Handicap at Arlington, and Capote, second in that race.

Smoke Glacken is coming off impressive victories in the seven-furlong Riva Ridge Stakes at Belmont and the six-furlong Jersey Shore Breeders’ Cup Stakes at Monmouth.

Ridden by Craig Perret, the colt will line up next to rail-sitter Political Whit, with J.J.’s Dream, Score a Birdie, Capote Belle, Wise Dusty and Elajjud rounding out the field.