Smooth Like Strait gets his Grade 1 in Shoemaker Mile

ARCADIA, Calif. - In his fourth attempt since late November, Smooth Like Strait finally won a Grade 1 race in Monday’s $300,500 Shoemaker Mile on turf at Santa Anita.

With the win, Smooth Like Strait earned a fees-paid berth to the BC Mile on Nov. 6 at Del Mar, provided he is nominated to the Breeders’ Cup program before pre-entries are due in late October. A $50,000 nomination payment due can be submitted by July 15, which is part of the plan for owners Michael and Jennifer Cannon, according to trainer Michael McCarthy.

“We’ll do what we have to do,” McCarthy said as he left the winner’s circle.

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Ridden by Umberto Rispoli, Smooth Like Strait ($3.40) led throughout the Shoemaker Mile, repelling a challenge from Restrainedvengence and Whisper Not through the first half-mile before pulling clear to win by 1 1/2 lengths over 5-2 Say the Word.

Smooth Like Strait set a modest pace of 23.46 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 46.43 for a half-mile. He led by as many as 3 1/2 lengths in the stretch. Smooth Like Strait was timed in 1:34.19 and earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 102.

“He was so relaxed for Umberto out there,” McCarthy said. “They have quite the partnership.”

Rispoli and Smooth Like Strait have teamed to win four stakes since August. Smooth Like Strait has won six stakes in his career.

Say the Word, the winner of the Grade 3 Elkhorn Stakes at 1 1/2 miles on turf at Keeneland on April 17, closed from fifth to be second, 1 3/4 lengths in front of Restrainedvengence.

“He ran his race,” said Phil D’Amato, who trains Say the Word. “A mile is a little too sharp for him. I’m proud of my horse.”

Restrainedvengence finished 3 1/4 lengths behind Smooth Like Strait, and was followed by Next Shares, Whisper Not and Crossfirehurricane in a field of six.

Smooth Like Strait, a winner of 7 of 15 starts, had been close in three previous starts in Grade 1 races, finishing second by a head in the Hollywood Derby at Del Mar last November, second by a neck in the Frank Kilroe Mile here in March, and third by a neck in the Old Forester Turf Classic at Churchill Downs on May 1.

“It’s very gratifying,” McCarthy said of the Shoemaker Mile win. “He shows up and runs every time. He’s put together an impressive campaign.”