Happy Saver Returns to Winner's Circle
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Photo: Coglianese Photos
Happy Saver wins an allowance optional claiming race at Belmont Park
Wertheimer and Frere's homebred Happy Saver shook off the rust in decisive fashion in the third race at Belmont Park May 28. The son of Super Saver hadn't gone to the post since defeating Dubai World Cup Sponsored By Emirates Airline (G1) hero Mystic Guide in last October's Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1).
Despite the layoff, Happy Saver was bet down as the heavy 2-5 favorite in a short field of five in Friday's allowance optional claiming contest. The Todd Pletcher trainee broke inward into rival Three Technique but quickly positioned himself behind the pacesetters, tracking in the three path down the backstretch behind opening splits of :23.89 and :47.60. Ticking off six furlongs in 1:11.73, the front-running Top Seed led the field around the turn as Happy Saver loomed three-wide into the stretch. Set down to a drive under jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., the chestnut chased after a game Top Seed, relentlessly bearing down on the Shug McGaughey runner at the wire and prevailing by a length at the wire. Three Technique closed for third.
Happy Saver wins an allowance optional claiming race at Belmont Park
Happy Saver clocked the mile in 1:36.57 on a fast main track.
The 4-year-old kept his perfect record intact after Friday's win, improving his earnings to $326,200 from five career starts. After a flashy debut score last summer at Belmont Park going seven panels, Happy Saver thrived with the added distance, stretching out to 1 1/8 miles successfully when capturing an allowance at Saratoga Race Course and the Federico Tesio Stakes at Laurel Park. Following those efforts was his grade 1 victory in the 1 1/4 mile Jockey Club Gold Cup.
Video: Race 3 (AOC) at BEL on 5/28/21