After a fine second in his stakes debut in the June 19 San Juan Capistrano (G3), Astronaut rocketed into the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) with a 24-1 upset of Saturday’s “Win and You’re In” Del Mar H. (G2)

After a few tough beats at the top level, Smooth Like Strait finally won a deserved Grade 1 trophy in Monday’s $300,500 Shoemaker Mile (G1) at Santa Anita. In the process, the Michael McCarthy trainee secured a free ticket to the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) at Del Mar Nov. 6.