Happy Soul Keeps Win Streak Alive in Dixie Belle
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Photo: Coady Photography
Happy Soul wins the Dixie Belle Stakes at Oaklawn Park
Gayla Rankin's Happy Soul kept her win streak alive and added more black type to her resume Feb. 19 with a three-length victory in the $150,000 Dixie Belle Stakes at Oaklawn Park.
The 3-year-old Runhappy filly was making her season debut and first start since an 11 1/2-length romp in the 2021 Astoria Stakes in June at Belmont Park, her initial stakes try off a maiden score at second asking at Belmont in May. In her only other start, she finished second to males going 4 1/2 furlongs in April at Keeneland. The gap between her impressive June score and Saturday's return was due to pneumonia she contracted during the summer, according to trainer Wesley Ward.
Ward left no rust on the bridle Saturday and Hall of Famer John Velazquez sent Happy Soul from third to first with a rail bid on the turn, with the duo drawing clear to win the six-furlong test in a final time of 1:10.44 on a fast track.
"I knew there was going to be a lot of speed in the race," Velazquez said. "I just didn't want to be way too far back, especially when the horse has been on the lead all her life. Once I let the speed go, she got a comfortable position."
Sent off at even money while racing without blinkers and on first-time Lasix, Happy Soul returned $4 on a $2 win ticket and improved her earnings to $238,500. Verylittlecents closed for second and Hypersport finished third by 2 1/2 lengths. Pacesetter Pretty Birdie posted fractions of :21.37 and :44.81 but faded to fifth in the six-horse field.
"That was nice," Ward said. "I kind of wish Johnny would have taken her back a little bit and come around them, but she took some heat there and kept going. That really was nice. I was thinking it was going to be a little different than that. It all worked out at the end, right? I thought I'd be in front, to be honest with you. I just think they were a little quicker than me, probably the first part of the race, because she was fresh and fit and ready to go."
Happy Soul was saddled by Blake Heap and is scheduled to ship Feb. 22 back to Keeneland, Ward's home base. She was bred in Kentucky by Harris Training Center out of the Stephen Got Even mare Cowgirl Lucky and was a $50,000 purchase by Rankin from James Herbener Jr.'s consignment to the 2020 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Her dam also produced grade 3 winner Calgary Caper (by El Corredor). Cowgirl Lucky's next foal after Happy Soul is a yearling Good Magic colt. She was bred to Audible for 2022.