Smooth Like Strait, consistent Grade 1 runner, retired at 6

The five-time graded stakes winner Smooth Like Strait, who was second in the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar in 2021, has run his last race after a series of losses.

Owner Michael Cannon said on Wednesday that Smooth Like Strait, 6, will be sent to his farm in Nevada and might stand stud in 2024.

“He’s definitely retired,” Cannon said. “He’s done enough in his career. He looks like he doesn’t want to run anymore.”

By Midnight Lute, Smooth Like Strait won 7 of 26 starts, including six stakes, and earned $1,813,863. Trained by Michael McCarthy, Smooth Like Strait was at his best in 2021, the year he won the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile at Santa Anita and finished second in three consecutive Grade 2 stakes in Southern California.

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In the BC Mile that fall, Smooth Like Strait was 10-1 in a field of 13. He set the pace, led by a length with a furlong remaining, and was beaten a half-length by the English invader Space Blues, who was favored.

“He had so many close seconds,” Cannon said. “He almost made $2 million and it could have been 4 or 5. We were starting to call him Smooth Like Second.”

The 2021 Shoemaker Mile was Smooth Like Strait’s final win. He was winless in six starts in 2022, including second-place finishes in the Shoemaker Mile and Grade 1 Arlington Million at Churchill Downs and a third in the Grade 1 Maker’s Mark Mile at Keeneland.

Smooth Like Strait was ninth in the BC Mile at Keeneland last November. He had one start this year, finishing fifth of 12 as the 1-2 favorite in the Cotton Fitzsimmons Mile at Turf Paradise on March 11.

Cannon said he may breed some of his mares to Smooth Like Strait beginning next year. He mentioned the possibility of standing the horse in California or Kentucky.

“He doesn’t have the pedigree to be commercial,” Cannon said.

“He’s never given us any health issues. He’s got tons of speed and he’s a beautiful animal.”

Smooth Like Strait is bound for a rest at Cannon’s farm this spring.

“I want to get him off the track and get him happy and relaxed,” Cannon said.

Cannon said he has an unraced 3-year-old full brother to Smooth Like Strait named Smooth Salute who is in training with McCarthy for an expected debut later this year, perhaps at Del Mar.

“He’s progressing very well,” Cannon said.

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