Grade 1 Kilroe Mile next for Smooth Like Strait

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 Frank E. Kilroe Mile (G1) on grass on March 6.

“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 Starlet (G1) on Dec. 5, ticketed for next Sunday’s Santa Ynez Stakes (G2) for 3-year-old fillies at seven furlongs, and marathon turf specialist Another Mystery set for Saturday’s San Gabriel Stakes (G2) at 1 1/8 miles on grass.

Ever on the go, McCarthy has come-backing ready Ohio for Friday’s Joe Hernandez Stakes (G2) at 6 1/2 furlongs on turf.

Ohio has not raced since March 7, when the soon-to-be 11-year-old gelded son of Elusive Quality finished seventh in the Kilroe. Ricky Gonzalez has 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 Runhappy Malibu, McCarthy said: “I don’t think he handled the track, but he’ll live to fight another day.”