Smooth Like Strait will seek to become only the sixth back-to-back winner of the Shoemaker Mile (G1) when the prestigious race named for the late, great jockey Bill Shoemaker, is run for the 81st time on Memorial Day, Monday, May 30.
The 5-year-old son of the Real Quiet stallion Midnight Lute trained by Michael McCarthy for owner/breeder Michael Cannon who campaigns as Cannon Thoroughbreds has been a gem of consistency competing against elite turf milers.
Although he hasn't won since capturing the Shoemaker Mile on Memorial Day in 2021, the bay horse has acutely made his presence felt in five subsequent graded stakes.
He finished second in three straight Grade 2's, the Eddie Read, the Del Mar Mile and the City of Hope Mile before running second in the Breeders' Cup Mile (G1) and third last out in the Maker's Mark Mile (G1) at Keeneland on April 15.
“We're very happy with him,” said McCarthy, who is bringing back Flavien Prat from the East Coast to ride Smooth Like Strait in the Shoemaker.
Smooth Like Strait usually makes his presence felt early by either being on or close to the lead, but as in most races, McCarthy acknowledges the trip is very important.
The $500,000 Shoemaker is a Breeders' Cup “Win and You're In” Challenge Race entitling the nominated winner to automatic entry into the Breeders' Cup Mile at Keeneland Nov. 5.
Previous consecutive winners of the Shoemaker Mile were Fleet Nasrullah, 1959-60; Winonly, 1962-63; Clever Song, 1986-87; Silic, 1999-2000; and Obviously, 2013-14.
Run at Hollywood Park from 1938 to 2013, the Shoemaker Mile was known as the Preview Handicap in 1950 and the Premiere Handicap from 1938 to 1989.
Shoemaker, affectionately called “The Shoe,” was 72 when he died on Oct. 12, 2003 at his home in San Marino, California. He won the race that would be named for him six times, with the female Special Touch in 1951; Pet Bully, 1953; Stranglehold, 1954; Fleet Discovery, 1967; Farnesio, 1979; and Peace, 1989.
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