There Goes Harvard getting ready for first start since since summer

There Goes Harvard, the winner of the Grade 1 Hollywood Gold Cup at Santa Anita last May, is nearing a comeback after recovering from an illness diagnosed last summer.

Trained by Michael McCarthy for Michael and Jennifer Cannon, There Goes Harvard has not raced since he finished last of nine in the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap at Del Mar last July.

“He was really sick after the San Diego,” McCarthy said.

A winner of 4 of 13 starts, There Goes Harvard worked a half-mile in 48.80 seconds at Santa Anita on Saturday, his fifth workout since mid-December. McCarthy said There Goes Harvard is likely to return to racing in late winter.

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The stable has no immediate plans for Smooth Like Strait, who was recently diagnosed with a “throat issue,” McCarthy said.

Smooth Like Strait is winless in 10 starts since a victory in the Grade 1 Shoemaker Mile at Santa Anita in May 2021. A 6-year-old owned by the Cannons, Smooth Like Strait finished fourth by four lengths as the 8-5 favorite in the Grade 2 Joe Hernandez Stakes on the hillside turf course at Santa Anita on Dec. 31.

“We’re taking it easy,” McCarthy said.

Smooth Like Strait’s losing streak includes a second by a half-length to Space Blues in the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar in November 2021, and a ninth in the same race at Keeneland last November.

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