Smile Happy Will be Away From the Races a Little Longer

Earlier this year, Lucky Seven Stable's Smile Happy  was in the fast lane on the road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1). The son of Runhappy   hit a speed bump after finishing eighth in the Run for the Roses.

He hasn't raced since and trainer Kenny McPeek said the colt won't be racing any time soon.

McPeek said Smile Happy was scheduled to undergo a full physical at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Saratoga Springs July 28.

"I haven't been real thrilled with how he has been moving up here," McPeek said July 28 while sitting in his office off the Oklahoma Training Track next to Saratoga Race Course. "He is acting like he's not happy; like there is something pinching him somewhere."

McPeek said he brought Smile Happy to Saratoga with the thought that he might be able to make the $1.25 Runhappy Travers Stakes (G1) on Aug. 27. And, if not that, the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1) at Parx Racing on Sept. 24.

McPeek said he informed the Mackin family—Lucky Seven Stable is named for Ginny and Leo Mackin and their children Mike, Jeff, Kim, Jay, and Craig—that their horse is having an exam and won't be running any time soon.

"We want him to be checked out and we want to make sure everything is ok," McPeek said. "We checked him out and could not find anything. I think for him to be a good, older horse, he needs more time. If he needs another month or two, he is going to get it."

Before running in the Kentucky Derby, Smile Happy collected runner-up finishes in both the Risen Star Stakes Presented by Lamarque Ford (G2) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots and the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland.