Grand Slam Smile © Benoit Photo

The robust chestnut mare Grand Slam Smile, who’ll be making the 25th start of her career, heads a field of nine fillies and mares born in California who’ll race for the lion’s share of the $100,000 purse atop the Betty Grable Stakes Sunday at Del Mar.

The seven-furlong dash will be having its 13th running at the seashore. The winner of the 12th edition last year was none other than Grand Slam Smile, who made the lead early, then never looked back in tallying by a length and a quarter.

The daughter of Smiling Tiger out of a Grand Slam mare races in the silks of Mr.-Mrs. Larry D. Williams, who also bred her. In her most recent start, the California Distaff at Santa Anita on October 11, she closed nicely coming down the hill on the turf course in Arcadia and was up in a photo. That was her 13th victory and made her a millionaire at $1,057,120.

In her quest for score No. 14, “Smile” will break from the rail and will have top rider Juan Hernandez aboard. She’s listed as the even-money favorite on the morning line.

Chief threats to the top one are likely to be Christel Clean and She’s No Quant.

The former is a 4-year-old by Violence who has been first of second in seven of her 11 outings so far. The filly races for spartan Equine Racing or West Point Thoroughbreds and will be handled by Del Mar’s summer riding champ Joel Rosario. They’ll come out of Post 2.

She’s No Quant was a Cal-bred stakes winner at Del Mar this past summer, then finished second in an open stakes going a mile at the seaside oval. The gray daughter of Pavel races for Reddam Racing, her breeder. Hector I Berrios has the call and will come away from Post 7.

First post Sunday will be the usual 12:30 p.m.