Smooth Like Strait, efficient winner of Saturday's Grade 2 Mathis Brothers Mile on turf as the 4-5 favorite, likely will make his next start in the G1 Frank E. Kilroe Mile on grass March 6 at Santa Anita in Arcadia, Calif.
“That's the plan,” trainer Michael McCarthy said for the Midnight Lute colt, now winner of six of 12 starts with earnings of $577,823 for owners/breeders Cannon Thoroughbreds, LLC.
McCarthy has Nasreddine, third in the G1 Starlet Dec. 5, ticketed for next Sunday's G2 Santa Ynez Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at seven furlongs, and marathon turf specialist Another Mystery set for Saturday's G2 San Gabriel Stakes at 1 1/8 miles on grass.
Ever on the go, McCarthy has come-backing Ohio ready for Friday's G2 Joe Hernandez Stakes at 6 ½ furlongs on turf.
Brazilian-bred Ohio has not raced since March 7 when the soon-to-be 10-year-old gelded son of Elusive Quality finished seventh in the Kilroe. Ricky Gonzalez will have the mount.
“Ohio just had a little R and R, just taking it easy,” McCarthy said.
As to Independence Hall's disappointing fifth by nearly 10 lengths behind Charlatan in the G1 Malibu, McCarthy said: “I don't think he handled the track, but he'll live to fight another day.”
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