Maker's Mark Mile, San Francisco Mile possible spots for Smooth Like Strait's return

Smooth Like Strait, one of the nation’s top turf milers of 2021, is nearing a springtime return.

Unraced since a second in the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar last November, Smooth Like Strait worked a half-mile in 49.40 seconds at Santa Anita on Friday, his fourth workout this year.

Trainer Michael McCarthy, who clocked Smooth Like Strait in 49.20 seconds, said several races are options for his return, including the Grade 1 Maker’s Mark Mile at Keeneland on April 15 and the Grade 3 San Francisco Mile at Golden Gate Fields on April 30.

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McCarthy said a major springtime goal for Smooth Like Strait is the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile at Santa Anita on May 30, a race he won in 2021. The winner of the $500,000 Shoemaker Mile receives a fees-paid berth to the BC Mile at Keeneland on Nov. 5.

Owned by Michael and Jennifer Cannon, Smooth Like Strait, 5, is a six-time stakes winner who has won 7 of 19 starts and earned $1,423,823. Smooth Like Strait has displayed good energy in recent weeks, McCarthy said.

“He appears to be the same horse as last year,” he said.

Law Professor, fifth in the Grade 1 Frank Kilroe Mile on turf at Santa Anita on March 5 for McCarthy, may switch surfaces for his next start. Law Professor, who worked in 49 seconds on Friday, is a candidate for the Grade 3 Oaklawn Mile, a $400,000 race on dirt on April 2.

Law Professor was second to Express Train in the Grade 2 San Pasqual Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on dirt at Santa Anita on Feb. 5. Express Train won the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap on March 5.