S'maverlous Stuns New Orleans Handicap Field

Longshot S'maverlous proved up to the challenge of his first stakes try and registered a clear victory in the $400,000 New Orleans Handicap (gr. II) March 26 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

Trained by Mike Maker, S’maverlous and jockey Jose Lezcano tracked early leader Coup de Grace through a quarter-mile in :23.65 and half-mile in :47.67 before seizing the lead just after six furlongs in 1:12.07. S’maverlous opened a clear advantage into the stretch and was never seriously threatened in a two-length victory.

Gata Racing Stables S’marverlous entered Saturday’s 1 1/8-mile handicap for older runners off a clear score in a one-mile and 70-yard allowance optional claiming race March 3 at Fair Grounds. The 6-year-old gelded son of Tiz Wonderful—A. P. Petal, by A.P. Indy, completed Saturday's test in 1:50.06 on a fast track.

S’maverlous finished two lengths ahead of Jessica's Star, but the runner-up was disqualified and placed fifth for interference with Majestic Harbor in the stretch. Rounding out the top spots after the disqualification were International Star second, giving Maker the top two finishers; 2-1 favorite Eagle third, and Majestic Harbor fourth.

"He broke very good. He took me there and then went on and won the race," Lezcano said. "He was very good today. I stuck with (Coup de Grace) and my horse was very comfortable and I had plenty all the way around."

Maker claimed S'marverlous for $32,000 from owner/trainer Diane Balsamo last September at Belmont Park, a race S'marverlous won. Maker initially campaigned S'marverlous himself before Gata Racing Stables took over this year. He was thrilled to see S'maverlous prove up to the challenge.

"No complaints from me. I got him last fall at Belmont," Maker said. "He's bred for the distance. You take horses who are doing well (and) you hope they can run the way he did. We rolled the dice and it paid off."

S’maverlous paid $42.40, $15.60, and $6.40 across the board. International Star returned $4.20 and $3.20 to place and show while Eagle returned $3 to show.

Bred in Kentucky by Spendthrift Farm, S'maverlous is the first stakes winner for A. P. Petal.