Max Ciao (outside) noses out Thirsty Rebel © Benoit Photo

Lovingier, Knapp or Moroney’s Max Ciao was up in the very last jump to tally by a nose Friday in the 36th running of the I’m Smokin Stakes for Cal-breds Friday at Del Mar.

The son of Maxfield tracked the early leader, then battled runner-up Thirsty Rebel throughout the last sixteenth, just catching that rival in the shadow of the wire.

Final time for the five and one-half furlong test was 1:03.59 and the winner paid $16.60 for $2 as the third-longest price in the field.

Thirsty Rebel, who went gamely through the lane, is owned by Mark Breen. He had a length and a quarter on the show horse, Here We Go Brothers, Jukie and Jack Stable’s Saul Elliott.

Max Ciao, who was winning his second race in his fourth start, earned a first prize of $57,000 from the gross purse of $101,000. He now has earnings of $117,000.

Racing will resume at Del Mar Saturday with a first post on an 11-race card at 1:30 p.m.

ARMANDO AYUSO (Max Ciao, winner) -- “The first two races this horse was missing the break. So the last time when I rode him, he was giving me a little gear, and I liked it, so today I wanted to do the same thing. It panned out really well. My horse looked at the eye of the #5 (Thirsty Rebel) and matched with him. He was quick; he has matured. At the finish line I thought I got it because of his head. I think he’s going to get better and better every time he runs. I like this horse.”

STEVE KNAPP (Max Ciao, winner) – “I knew the one horse (Sammy Davis) was going to be tough. I thought he could keep up and I thought he would finish. He had a hard time getting by the other horse. It was a really good race. My exercise jockey told me the other day ‘This horse doesn’t even know how to run yet.’ He’s still very, very green. There’s so much more talent there and he’s going to want to run longer.” 

FRACTIONS:  :21.51  :44.61  :57.02  1:03.59

The stakes win was the second of the meet for rider Ayuso, but his first in the I’m Smokin. He now has four stakes wins at Del Mar. 

The stakes win was the first of the meet for trainer Knapp and his first in the I’m Smokin. He now has seven stakes wins at Del Mar. 

The winning ownership group is headed by Terry Lovingier of Warner Springs, CA.