Longshot Handles Super Derby Field : Horse racing: Free Spirit’s Joy beats Olympio by one length. Favored Best Pal is fourth.

Seemingly unintimidated by millionaires such as Best Pal and Lite Light, Louisiana-bred Free Spirit’s Joy--a winner of only $121,700--won the $1-million Super Derby at Louisiana Downs on Sunday.

Free Spirit’s Joy ran 1 1/4 miles in 2:00 4/5, only three-fifths slower than Gate Dancer’s track record, set in 1984.

Olympio was one length back in second and Zeeruler finished third. Best Pal, the 4-5 favorite who was coming off of a victory over some of the best older horses in the world, finished fourth, 6 1/2 lengths behind.

Lite Light, a filly, finished next to last in the field of seven, 16 1/2 lengths behind Free Spirit’s Joy in her first race against males.

Free Spirit’s Joy, making his third start of the month, paid $59, $10.40 and $5.20. Olympio returned $3.80 and $3.40. Zeeruler paid $8.

“It came up just like we wanted. Every jump and turn was just like we wanted,” winning rider Calvin Borel said.

“We couldn’t have written a better book.”

Free Spirit’s Joy broke quickly to the rail and stalked front-running Olympio until taking the lead for good at the three-quarters pole.

“I thought I had the perfect position on the leaders,” said Pat Valenzuela, who rode Best Pal.

“When I asked my horse to move, he moved up to them and just couldn’t get them the last eighth of a mile.”

Olympio set the pace early, just as trainer Clarence E. Picou and Borel had hoped. Picou said he told Borel to try to get Free Spirit’s Joy ahead and to the rail early.

“No excuses. He had a good run,” jockey Eddie Delahoussaye said of Olympio. “He just got outrun.”

Lite Light is a leading candidate for the Eclipse Award as 3-year-old filly of the year.

“She took to the track fine and everything,” said Corey Nakatani, who rode Lite Light.

“I felt the lack of response at the head of the lane. That’s why I didn’t beat her up. I asked her to run, but she got tired. I just think it wasn’t her day.”

Pre-race attention had centered on Lite Light, Best Pal and Olympio.

“We were coming in the sleeper and the underdog,” Picou said.

Free Spirit’s Joy, the only horse owned by Free Spirit’s Stable, earned a fees-paid starting berth in the Super Derby with a five-length victory in the Prelude Stakes.