S'maverlous transforms into two-turn terror heading into Cornhusker
S’maverlous made one start around two turns during the first 16 races of his career, finishing a distant fourth in February 2014 over the inner dirt track at Aqueduct, but a belated switch from sprints to two-turn racing at age 6 this year has transformed S’maverlous from claimer to stakes horse.
After five straight strong performances in routes, it’s probably time to start taking him seriously, and S’maverlous is the horse to beat if he holds his form Saturday in the Grade 3, $300,000 Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap.
The biggest race of the Prairie Meadows season drew a field of nine, though a win from anyone beyond the trio of S’maverlous, Cyrus Alexander, and Shotgun Kowboy would feel like an upset. S’maverlous, the 118-pound highweight, seems highly unlikely to go postward as high as his 4-1 morning-line odds for trainer Mike Maker and jockey Florent Geroux.
Cyrus Alexander, who carries 117 pounds, including Martin Garcia, is the 7-2 morning-line favorite and figures to be no worse than second choice. Shotgun Kowboy finished second behind Cyrus Alexander last out in the Lone Star Park Handicap.
The Cornhusker, contested over 1 1/8 miles, is scheduled for 4:50 p.m. Central. There’s no rain in the forecast, and the high temperature is forecast to be a moderate 78 degrees.
Cornhusker, Race 9
KEY CONTENDERS
S’maverlous, by Tiz Wonderful
Last 3 Beyers: 98-97-100
◗ Maker and Gata Racing Stables claimed him for just $32,000 last September, and S’maverlous hasn’t seen a claiming tag since then. After four sprint starts following the claim, Maker stretched S’maverlous out and unearthed a new horse.
“At six furlongs, he was leaving himself too much to do,” Maker said.
◗ On the surface, S’maverlous is bred to run long, but his dam never raced, and her first four foals to race before him failed to win any of their 29 starts. S’maverlous won a second-level allowance March 3 at Fair Grounds, and Maker threw him into the New Orleans Handicap 23 days later, and he won at 20-1.
“His numbers suggested he fit,” Maker said. “Numbers are one thing, class is another, but it worked out.”
◗ S’maverlous’s sudden performance-level rise has proven sustainable. He was a solid fifth in the $1 million Charles Town Classic two back before decisively winning the $194,000 Mountainview over the Cornhusker’s nine-furlong trip June 5.
Cyrus Alexander, by Medaglia d’Oro
Last 3 Beyers: 97-98-89
◗ The $1.7 million yearling purchase displayed ability from the start but finally scored his first stakes win while making his 15th career start in the Lone Star Park Handicap.
“We’ve been thinking he’d put it all together for a long time, and last race he finally did,” said trainer Jerry Hollendorfer.
◗ After 13 starts wearing blinkers, Cyrus Alexander raced without the hood last time, a sign that Hollendorfer believes he has grown up and become more professional.
“Sometimes changes like that work, sometimes they don’t. It worked last time,” Hollendorfer said. “He’s always run good, but we were having a hard time getting him to win. He’s feeling good right now, acting real well.”
Shotgun Kowboy, by Kodiak Kowboy
Last 3 Beyers: 94-95-88
◗ Was no match late for Cyrus Alexander at Lone Star, but owner-breeder-trainer C.R. Trout said he thinks his horse can close the gap Saturday.
“We were in the 1 hole, and we just went out too fast,” Trout said. “I’d like to get this colt covered up and rate some. He’s got a good late kick.”
◗ Won the Oklahoma Derby last year at this nine-furlong distance.
“I think he’ll excel at that,” said Trout. “That’s not going to bother him at all.”