Smooth Like Strait scratches from Wickerr Stakes

DEL MAR, Calif. – Smooth Like Strait scratched Sunday from Del Mar's Wickerr Stakes, a restricted turf mile (race 9) in which he would have been heavily favored despite drawing post 12.

Trainer Michael McCarthy said he “just wasn’t crazy about being drawn way out there, with options like the (Grade 2 Eddie Read) and stuff out there."

A Grade 1 winner of seven races and more than $1.5 million, Smooth Like Strait was the 6-5 program favorite for the Wickerr.

McCarthy said Smooth Like Strait is fine physically. “He’s good,” McCarthy said Sunday after the scratch. As for the $250,000 Eddie Read on July 31, Smooth Like Strait was not nominated, but can be supplemented for $2,500.

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“That’s probably where it’s going to happen,” McCarthy said, meaning the 1 1/8-mile race is probably where Smooth Like Strait would run. His most recent workout was July 18. McCarthy said he would need to work him prior to the Read.

Owned by breeders Michael and Jennifer Cannon, who race as Cannon Thoroughbreds, Smooth Like Strait is a 5-year-old by Midnight Lute. His most recent win was the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile in May 2021 at Santa Anita. Smooth Like Strait finished second in the 2021 Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar.

The scratch of Smooth Like Strait from the Wickerr elevates the chances of Bran and Gregorian Chant, stretch-out sprinters listed at 5-1 and 6-1, respectively, prior to the scratch.

The Wickerr is race 9 on the 11-race Sunday card.