Del Mar Smooth Like Strait All The Way In La Jolla August 9, 2020 Credit: Benoit Photo Del Mar Smooth Like Strait All The Way In La Jolla August 9, 2020 By: Curtis "Magic" Kalleward twitteremail Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article DEL MAR, CA – Cannon Thoroughbreds homebred Smooth Like Strait looked like a winner every step of the way in Sunday’s $125,000 La Jolla Handicap (G3) at Del Mar. ( Content Continues Below Ad ) Sent from post 6 as the 4/5 favorite under Umberto Rispoli, Smooth Like Strait went right to the front and led solo early, but he came under fire on the backstretch and brielfy relented to Indian Peak along his outside. Reigniting as he entered the far turn, Smooth Like Strait separated himself and was clear of the field by the 1/4 pole. Unleashed in the stretch, the Michael McCarthy trainee ran off before crossing 2 1/2 strong lengths clear in a final time of 1:40.29 for the 1 1/16-mile firm turf route. Credit: Benoit Photo “I knew I had the most speed,” Rispoli said. “Mike told me to ride like I was on the best horse. When you hear that, you have confidence. When (Indian Peak) came up outside me on the backstretch, that was OK. It wasn’t a worry. My horse was relaxed, so we were just helping each other. Then he had good speed at the end, and we were gone.” The 2019 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) champion Storm the Court ran well in his turf debut, stalking early and holding onto second in the late stages over a fast-rallying K P All Systems Go. Completing the order of finish came Kanderel, Azul Coast, I’m Leaving You, Ajourneytofreedom, and Indian Peak. Jockey Umberto Rispoli celebrates aboard Smooth Like Strait after winning (Credit: Benoit Photo) With two wins on the Sunday card, Rispoli took a 24-21 advantage over Flavien Prat for the Del Mar leading rider title. The Italian rider is enjoying tremendous success in his inagural Del Mar summer meet. “I like this place and I like racing in California,” he said.” There’s good competition here. We go against each other and make each other better. It’s good.” Smooth Like Strait’s win was his second at the graded stakes level, having won last December’s Cecil B. DeMille Stakes (G3) over this same course. The 3-year-old Midnight Lute colt improved his record to 8-4-1-1 with $253,323 earned. “I thought Umberto did a wonderful job of getting him out in the clear on the first turn,” McCarthy said. “When that horse came up outside of him on the backside, it was something we’re not used to, but Umberto was very cool, didn’t panic, did the right thing, and knew he was on the best horse today. When the other horse went ahead, it didn’t bother me because I knew we were still travelling well in hand. When we re-engaged and got a 1/2 a length ahead, I was just happy to see no one was coming from behind.” Smooth Like Strait returned $3.60 to win, $2.60 to place, and $2.20 to show. Storm the Court brought back $3.60 to place and $3 to show, while K P All Systems Go paid $4.80 to show.
Kentucky Derby First Look and NHL/NBA Playoff Update | Dudes Who Bet Sports 189 Aaron and Papa Dude discuss the probable for the 150th… Read More
2024 Kentucky Derby Horse Profiles – How Each Horse Can Win | Blinkers Off 662 The Racing Dudes take a look at the contenders of… Read More
Keeneland Pick 5 | The Magic Mike Show 542 The Magic Mike Show guys preview & give their tickets… Read More
NBA & NHL Playoff Previews & Picks | Dudes Who Bet Sports 188 Aaron and Papa Dude discuss OJ Simpson, UConn’s national championship… Read More
2024 Kentucky Derby Top 10 & Rapid-Fire Picks | Blinkers Off 661 The Racing Dudes reveal their Top 10 Kentucky Derby prospects… Read More
Kentucky Derby 2024 Latest News & Top Contenders | It’s The Final Countdown Aaron discusses the latest 2024 Kentucky Derby (G1) news, then… Read More
Fierceness | Get To Know The 2024 Kentucky Derby Contender Jared discusses Fierceness, a contender for the 2024 Kentucky Derby… Read More
Sierra Leone | Get To Know The 2024 Kentucky Derby Contender Jared discusses Sierra Leone, a contender for the 2024 Kentucky… Read More
Catching Freedom | Get To Know The 2024 Kentucky Derby Contender Jared discusses Catching Freedom, a contender for the 2024 Kentucky… Read More
Forever Young | Get To Know The 2024 Kentucky Derby Contender Jared discusses Forever Young, a contender for the 2024 Kentucky… Read More