Mavilus rallies home at a big price to win the Conniver (Maryland Jockey Club)
Maryland Jockey Club Press Release
LAUREL, Md.— Continuing a torrid streak that began with a record-tying seven wins on Friday’s program, jockey Jaime Rodriguez gave Michael Scheffres’ long shot Mavilus a perfectly timed ride to spring a 26-1 upset in the $75,000 Conniver for older Maryland-bred/sired fillies and mares.
Unhurried in the early going, Mavilus ($55.20) came with a dramatic late run on the far outside through the stretch to catch eight-time stakes winner Street Lute near the wire and win by a half-length in 1:25.16 for seven furlongs over a fast main track.
Mavilus trailed all but one horse as 1-2 favorite Response Time went the opening quarter-mile in 23.44 seconds pressed by Street Lute, who forged a short lead after the half went in 46.39. Rodriguez still had work to do entering the stretch and tipped to the middle of the track for a sustained run to the wire.
Street Lute held on for second, a neck ahead of Jerry Robb-trained stablemate Award Wanted. It was another half-length back to Summer Odds followed by Combat Queen, My Flicker, Quiet Imagination and Response Time.
His victory was Rodriguez’s ninth from 11 mounts including a win aboard Borracho ($18.60) in Saturday’s Race 4. Trained by Carlos Mancilla, the 5-year-old Mavilus has won three of her last four starts dating back to the Maryland Million Distaff Starter Handicap in October, and nine overall.
Named the top handicap mare of 1948 following a season that included wins in the Beldame, Comely, Vagrancy and Brooklyn handicaps, the latter over Hall of Famers Gallorette and Stymie, Conniver was bred in Maryland by Alfred G. Vanderbilt. She retired in 1949 after 15 wins from 56 starts.
