Runhappy Romps in Phoenix S. at Keeneland
Updated: October 2, 2015 at 7:07 pm
A slow start, extremely sloppy main track and seemingly equally speedy champion in the field proved only minor obstacles for the brilliant Runhappy as he notched his fourth-straight win and locked up his spot in the GI Breeders’ Cup Sprint over track and trip in 29 days. Overcoming tons of immaturity to earn his diploma by 8 1/4 lengths first out at Turfway in December, the bay faded to ninth after a troubled trip in the GIII LeComte S. at Fair Grounds in January. Transferred from Laura Wohlers to Maria Borell thereafter, he reemerged to romp by five lengths in the Indiana mud July 7 from three next-out winners. Runhappy added another optional claimer at Ellis July 31, and handled much deeper waters with aplomb to run away with Saratoga’s prestigious GI King’s Bishop S. Aug. 29 while earning a gaudy 113 Beyer Speed Figure.
Installed the public’s pick despite the presence of last year’s Phoenix and BC Sprint winner Work All Week, Runhappy broke last from the rail, but was pushed on hard by Hall of Fame pilot Edgar Prado to take over by daylight. He took the turn a touch wide, and drifted out in deep stretch, but kept on to deny fellow sophomore Barbados by a comfortable margin.
“He broke a step slow,” noted Prado. “I had to get him running out of the gate [from the] inside, sloppy track, a lot of speed in the race. I had to get in position and let him do his thing. He did it. He’s a nice horse, came running, very fast.”
Borell added, “He’s very talented. He’s an amazing horse. I’m so lucky and blessed to have him. Thank you so much, [owner] James McIngvale and [racing manager] Laura Wohlers. I’m so blessed.”
The winner’s Lookin At Lucky half brother sold to Twin Creeks Racing for $255,000 at the recently concluded Keeneland September sale.
Friday, Keeneland
STOLL KEENON OGDEN PHOENIX S.-GIII, $250,000, KEE, 10-2, 3yo/up, 6f, 1:09.96, sy.
1–RUNHAPPY, 122, c, 3, by Super Saver
1st Dam: Bella Jolie, by Broken Vow
2nd Dam: Jolie Boutique, by Northern Jove
3rd Dam: Mimi La Sardine, by Tank’s Prospect
($200,000 Ylg ’13 KEESEP). O-James McIngvale;
B-Wayne, Gray & Bryan Lyster (KY); T-Maria Borell;
J-Edgar S. Prado. $150,000. Lifetime Record: GISW,
6-5-0-0, $481,300. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click
for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
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2–Barbados, 120, c, 3, Speightstown–Northern
Station, by Street Cry (Ire). ($160,000 Ylg ’13
KEESEP; $230,000 2yo ’14 KEEAPR; $340,000 2yo
’14 KEENOV). O-Suzanne Stables; B-Tommy Town
Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY); T-Michael A. Tomlinson.
$50,000.
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3–Work All Week, 122, g, 6, City Zip–Danzig Matilda,
by Repriced. O/B-Midwest Thoroughbreds (IL);
T-Roger A. Brueggemann. $25,000.
Margins: 1 3/4, NO, 2 3/4. Odds: 1.40, 11.40, 2.40.
Also Ran: Holy Boss, Gentlemen’s Bet, A. P. Indian, Alsvid, Nates Mineshaft, Waco, Fast Anna, Bump Start. Scratched: Sharp Sensation.
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.