New Orleans – Hill ‘N’ Dale Equine Holdings Inc.’s Smart Surprise drew off to win Saturday’s $60,000 Chou Croute Handicap by 6 1/4 lengths at Fair Grounds Race Course.
The impressive triumph was the third straight for the Smart Strike mare, who notched her first added-money win in the Bessarabian Stakes at Woodbine on November 23.
Smart Surprise earned a career best Beyer Speed Figure of 105 for her performance, which took place over a ‘sloppy’ sealed track.
The victory by the Josie Carroll trainee provided jockey Robby Albarado with his 100th career stakes score at the Louisiana oval. “This filly ran well today and I wasn’t surprised by that. She’s been training very well,” said Albarado.
Smart Surprise increased her career earnings to $239,294 with her fourth win in 15 lifetime starts. She travelled the 1 1/16-mile distance in 1:44.84 and paid $6.80, $3.60 and $2.80.
“She’s just an honest filly who tries hard every time,” offered Carroll.
Favored Rolling Sea finished second, returning $2.80 and $2.10, and Malcolm Pierce trainee She’s Indy Money paid $3.20 to show.
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