Runhappy, preparing for a start in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (gr. I) on October 31st at Keeneland, turned in a spectacular workout at Keeneland on the morning of October 14th that could quite possibly stamp him as the favorite to win the race.
Coming off of an impressive win in the Phoenix Stakes (gr. III) at Keeneland, Runhappy–who has been known to break slowly from the starting gate–began his workout at the gate and once again broke a step slowly, getting the first furlong in :12.20 according to Keeneland clockers. But thereafter, he picked up the pace substantially, rattling off fractions of :23.30 and :34.60 before crossing the wire in :45.40 and continuing on through five furlongs in :57.80. He also galloped-out six furlongs in 1:10.60. Broken down in terms of one-furlong fractions, Runhappy recorded splits of :12.20, :11.10, :11.30, :11.80, and :12.40.
Trained by Maria Borell, the three-year-old son of Super Saver has won four straight races, including the King’s Bishop Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga, and the manner in which he has been winning and training suggests that–in this writer’s opinion–Runhappy may be one of the greatest sprinters we have seen in many years.
