Smooth Like Strait wires field in Cecil B. DeMille Stakes

DEL MAR, Calif. – Smooth Like Strait made a successful transition from turf sprinter to turf miler in Sunday’s Grade 3 Cecil B. DeMille Stakes for 2-year-olds at Del Mar, confirming that his future remains on that surface.

Ridden by Geovanni Franco, Smooth Like Strait ($33.20) led throughout the $102,808 DeMille Stakes, winning by 2 1/2 lengths. Smooth Like Strait had won a maiden special weight race at 5 1/2 furlongs on turf in his third start at Santa Anita on Oct. 31.

“He handled the distance,” Franco said. “It was a good scenario for a step up.”

Trained by Michael McCarthy for Michael Cannon, Smooth Like Strait led by 1 1/2 lengths through the first six furlongs, setting early fractions of 22.91 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 47.99 for a half-mile. He led by two lengths in the stretch and was 2 1/2 lengths clear of runner-up Goliad at the wire.

Smooth Like Strait was timed in 1:36.02 on a turf course rated firm.

Goliad (9-2) closed from fourth under jockey Flavien Prat to finish three-quarters of a length in front of 31-1 Last Opportunity, who closed from 11th in a field of 13.

Hit the Road, the 2-1 favorite, came from last to finish fourth, followed by Liar Liar, Albert Park, Encoder, Go Time, Hariboux, Fore Left, Kanderel, Midnight Jostar, and War Beast.

Franco has been aboard Smooth Like Strait for his last three starts, beginning with a third-place finish in a maiden race on turf at Santa Anita on Oct. 5.

“Michael has been improving him in every race,” Franco said.

Smooth Like Strait was ninth in a maiden special weight race at six furlongs here on Aug. 17 in his debut, but was diagnosed with a virus after that start, McCarthy said. McCarthy said he plans to keep Smooth Like Strait on turf.

Smooth Like Strait, by Midnight Lute, was bred by Cannon and has won 2 of 4 starts and earned $96,351.