Keeneland Barn Notes: Smooth Like Strait To Run in Maker’s Mark Mile

(Smooth Like Strait / Coady Photography)

From the Keeneland Media Team:

SMOOTH LIKE STRAIT MAKES KEENELAND DEBUT IN MAKER’S MARK MILE

Cannon Thoroughbreds’ Smooth Like Strait closed a lucrative 2021 campaign with a narrow loss to Space Blues (IRE) in the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) Presented by PDJF at Del Mar in early November.

This year’s Breeders’ Cup World Championships will be held at Keeneland Nov. 4-5. For Smooth Like Strait, the road to a possible return to the Mile begins Friday afternoon in the 34^th running of the $600,000 Maker’s Mark Mile (G1).

“The Maker’s Mark fit for us schedule-wise,” trainer Michael McCarthy said of the starting point for 2022 for Smooth Like Strait, who on Friday morning will van from Churchill Downs to Keeneland for his first local start.

Smooth Like Strait made one trip out of California last year to Kentucky for the Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic (G1) in which he finished third beaten a neck behind dead-heat winners Colonel Liam and Domestic Spending (GB).

“His participation in this year’s Turf Classic (on May 7) depends on his race Friday,” McCarthy said.

A rainy April that included strong overnight storms Wednesday night into Thursday morning figures to leave the Keeneland turf course less than firm for Friday’s race.

“Weather is a concern,” McCarthy said of Smooth Like Strait, who finished fourth in the Eddie Logan (L) in 2019 at Santa Anita in his lone start on a less than firm course. “I can’t say I am crazy about participating on a soft turf course.”

NAVRATILOVA LOOKS TO ACE JENNY WILEY COMPETITION

Trainer Rusty Arnold has seven Grade 1 victories on his Keeneland resume, a total that includes a victory by G. Watts Humphrey Jr.’s Centre Court in the 2013 Jenny Wiley.

On Saturday, Centre Court’s daughter Navratilova, a Humphrey homebred, will try to add to the family legacy when she goes to the gate under jockey Colby Hernandez in a field of six in the 34th running of the $500,000 grass test over 1 1/16 miles.

“They are not that similar,” Arnold said of mother and daughter. “Centre Court was bigger and stronger, but the best distance for both of them is a mile to a mile and a sixteenth.”

Centre Court won six graded stakes and earned $961,048. In addition to winning the Jenny Wiley, she ran second in the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1) in 2012.

Navratilova notched her first graded stakes victory in last fall’s Rubicon Valley View (G3) before returning with a third-place finish in the 1-mile Honey Fox (G3) at Gulfstream Park on March 5.

“She had a good winter and then in the Honey Fox she had a tough post (11),” Arnold said. “We tried to chase a Chad Brown horse (In Italian [GB]) and that probably cost her second.”

Navratilova has a fan in her namesake: nine-time Wimbledon women’s singles champion Martina Navratilova, who ruled the Centre Court at the All England Club from 1978-90.

“I have heard that Martina has Tweeted about her on her account,” Arnold said. “She is aware there is a good filly named after her.”

BROWN AND ATTFIELD BID FOR GRADE 1 DOUBLE

No trainer has swept the Maker’s Mark Mile (G1) and Jenny Wiley (G1) in the same year, but this week Chad Brown or Roger Attfield could be the first to complete the double.

Brown, who won last year’s Maker’s Mark Mile with Raging Bull (FR) for Peter Brant, will be represented in Friday’s race by Masen (GB) for Juddmonte and Public Sector (GB) for Klaravich Stables. In Saturday’s Jenny Wiley, Brown will saddle Regal Glory for Brant and send out Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables and Robert LaPenta’s Shantisara (IRE) as he bids for his fifth victory in the race.

Attfield, a two-time winner of the Maker’s Mark Mile with Shudanz in 1992 and Perfect Soul (IRE) in 2004, will send out Shirl’s Speight in the Maker’s Mark Mile on Friday and Lady Speightspeare in Saturday’s Jenny Wiley. Both horses are owned by Charles Fipke.

PROBABLE FIELDS FOR UPCOMING STAKES

April 22 stakes. Entries taken Tuesday, April 19.

$300,000 BAIRD DOUBLEDOGDARE (G3): Audrey’s Time (trainer NeilPessin), Malathaat (Todd Pletcher). Possible: Crazy Beautiful (Kenny McPeek), Super Quick (Norm Casse).

April 23 stakes. Entries taken Wednesday, April 20.

$350,000 ELKHORN (G2): Possible: Another Mystery (Chris Block), Cullum Road (Doug Danner).

$300,000 BEN ALI (G3): Mighty Heart (Josie Carroll). Possible: Proxy (Mike Stidham), Title Ready (Dallas Stewart). 

KEENELAND RACES INCLUDED IN SATURDAY’S CROSS COUNTRY PICK 5

The New York Racing Association on Saturday will host another Cross Country Pick 5 featuring racing from Aqueduct and Keeneland.

All times ET.

Leg A: Keeneland – Race 8, Giant’s Causeway (L) (post time 4:44 p.m.)

Leg B: Aqueduct – Race 8, allowance (5:06 p.m.)

Leg C: Keeneland – Race 9, Stonestreet Lexington (G3) (5:16 p.m.)

Leg D: Aqueduct – Race 9, allowance (5:40 p.m.)

Leg E: Keeneland – Race 11, allowance (6:20 p.m.)

Free Equibase past performances for the Cross Country Pick 5 sequence are available at https://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/racing/cross-country-wagers.

SPRING MEET WEEK 2 SPECIAL EVENTS

All year

Official Keeneland Tours. Visit keeneland.com/tours for availability and to purchase.

Every Friday and Saturday

The Hill. No ticket or reservation is required for Keeneland’s popular free tailgating area on The Hill, which is open Fridays and Saturdays and offers a unique way to experience the Spring Meet. Fans on The Hill can participate in the racing action via a jumbo TV and wagering, while food trucks and live music presented by The Burl create a festive atmosphere. Those who wish to elevate their tailgating experience can book a premium package that includes tent, tables, amenities, reserved area for the day and more with the Tailgate Guys “A REVELxp Company.” Visit Keeneland.com/tailgating for details.

Friday, April 15

Jockey Autograph Signing. Fans will meet active and retired Keeneland riders and Hall of Famers in an event that benefits the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund (PDJF). Signing takes place outside the Walking Ring from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Retired jockeys scheduled to participate are Donna Barton Brothers, James Bruin, Don Brumfield, PJ Cooksey, Jean Cruguet, Carl Faulconer, Michael Heath, Mike Manganello, John Oldham, Suzie Oldham and Alex Solis.

Saturday, April 16

Sunrise Trackside. This morning program is geared toward families and offers a unique view of Thoroughbreds during training hours. Children’s activities, located on the first-floor Grandstand from 8-10 a.m., include a meet and greet with Keeneland’s mascot, Buckles, along with face painting, games and more. Fans can enjoy coffee and donuts at Clockers Corner while watching horses train. Mini tours are available at the Welcome Stand in the Paddock. A 30-minute demonstration in the Walking Ring at 8:30 will explain how horses communicate with their body language. This Saturday, Sunrise Trackside will include a visit by the Easter Bunny.

Sunday, April 17 – Easter – Keeneland closed for racing

SPRING MEET LEADERS

Through April 12 (4 days of 15-day season)

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Click here for Keeneland’s 2022 Media Guide.