Libertyrun Becomes Runhappy's First Winner

Runhappy , the champion sprinter of 2015, was represented by his first winner July 8 at Indiana Grand when his son Libertyrun drew away for a 6 1/4-length victory in his debut in a $31,000 maiden special weight.

Breaking from the far outside in a field of 12, the juvenile colt pressed the early pace under Miguel Mena, took the lead leaving the turn, and extended his advantage to the wire. He completed 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:05.63 on a fast track.

"He's not a very big horse, but he is very professional," Mena said. "He came out of the gate great. When we got to the stretch, he had his ears pricked, and I hit him once and he took off running. I hit him one more time and he continued on again. I think he is a very nice horse."

The victory came for Runhappy's owner, Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale, who has aggressively promoted the stallion in advertisements and sponsorships. Besides owning Libertyrun, McIngvale bred the winner, who was foaled in Louisiana.

Runhappy, a three-time grade 1 winner, stood at Claiborne Farm in Paris, Ky., this year for a fee of $25,000. Like Libertyrun, he was a first-out winner, graduating at Turfway Park by 8 1/4 lengths in December 2014.

A son of Super Saver , Runhappy went on to capture the NYRA.com King's Bishop Stakes (G1), the Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix Stakes (G3), the TwinSpires Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1), and the Malibu Stakes (G1)—all as a 3-year-old.

Libertyrun is part of his first crop of runners. Last week, one of Runhappy's progeny, PTK's Zebra Cake, placed for the sire by running third when debuting July 3 at Ellis Park.

McIngvale's sister-in-law Laura Wohlers trains Libertyrun, as she did Runhappy for part of his career.

"He ran big, and (that) was a bad post to draw into," she said. "I didn't expect him to win, so a great day."

She and other family members oversee McIngvale's racing operation.

"He loves to train," assistant Kelly Wohlers said of Libertyrun. "He's a very nice athlete. He's got Runhappy's mind, but he's got a little more pep in his step. Runhappy had pep in his step when he got to the paddock. But this horse is all the time on go. He loves what he does."

Libertyrun will likely be pointed to a stakes race for Louisiana-bred 2-year-olds, Kelly Wohlers said, though the $100,000 RUNHAPPY Juvenile Stakes Aug. 9 at Ellis Park is not ruled out.

Out of the unraced Came Home mare Slews Return, Libertyrun is the seventh winner for his dam, one of whom, Madeforlife (by First Defence), ran third in the Azalea Stakes for Louisiana-breds at Delta Downs in March 2019.