Del Mar Mile 1-2-3 rematch in City of Hope Mile
The best race of the Del Mar summer meeting was arguably the Grade 2 Del Mar Mile on Aug. 21 when Mo Forza, Smooth Like Strait, and Hit the Road swept the top three positions separated by a length.
The encore will be held in Saturday’s Grade 2 City of Hope Mile at Santa Anita, the final major prep race in California for the Breeders’ Cup Mile on Nov. 6 at Del Mar.
At various times through the year, Hit the Road, Mo Forza, and Smooth Like Strait have delivered brilliant performances.
Hit the Road won the Grade 1 Frank Kilroe Mile in March and was third in the Del Mar Mile in his first start since April.
“The Breeders’ Cup has always been the end goal,” trainer Dan Blacker said. “Since the last race, I’ve had this race penciled in.
“I want to win this race, but I think he should improve off his last race with a run under his belt. He’s training with a lot of energy. I think he will move up a little bit off the race, which should put him right there.”
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Smooth Like Strait won the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile in May, earning a fees-paid berth to the BC Mile. Trained by Michael McCarthy, Smooth Like Strait was beaten a neck in the Grade 2 Eddie Read Stakes on July 24 at Del Mar after leading in the stretch. He led in the stretch of the Del Mar Mile and lost by a head to Mo Forza while carrying four extra pounds.
“He needs to repeat that performance,” McCarthy said. “He’s given weight away in his last few starts and gotten beaten heads and necks, and that’s hurt him. I think he’s doing well enough to win this race.”
Mo Forza won the Del Mar Mile in his first start of the year, suggesting he is capable of doing more with race experience this fall.
“We’re hoping he runs better,” trainer Peter Miller said. “We’re thinking he’s fitter and seems a little sharper, but it’s a tough race. Our ultimate goal is the Breeders’ Cup. This is not one we have to have, but we’d like to have.”
Last fall, Mo Forza won the City of Hope Mile, but was sidelined in the weeks after the race and missed the BC Mile at Keeneland.
The $200,000 City of Hope Mile drew a field of five, including Red Storm Risen, who was fourth in an allowance race at a mile on turf on Aug. 29, and Order and Law, who was claimed for $80,000 on Aug. 22 at Del Mar.
Red Storm Risen, who is trained by Phil D’Amato, drew the rail and will have his stakes debut in the City of Hope Mile.
Order and Law, who won the 2018 Laurel Futurity, was sixth in an allowance race with a claiming option on dirt and will have his first start for trainer Mike Maker in the City of Hope Mile.