Smile Happy, Creative Minister Return at Oaklawn

The eighth race March 16 at Oaklawn Park, courtesy of trainer Kenny McPeek, has some 2022 Triple Crown flavor.

McPeek is scheduled to send out two Triple Crown participants—Smile Happy  and Creative Minister —in the $106,000 second-level allowance optional claimer for older horses at 1 1/8 miles. Smile Happy, a grade 2 winner for Lucky Seven Stable, has not started since finishing eighth in the Kentucky Derby (G1) last May at Churchill Downs. Creative Minister, stakes-placed for Fern Circle Stables, finished third in the Preakness Stakes (G1) and fifth in the Belmont Stakes (G1). Creative Minister hasn't started since finishing sixth in an Oct. 20 allowance optional claiming race at Keeneland.

"Unfortunately, they both fell under the same allowance condition and they were both ready at the same time," McPeek said. "Reluctant to run them against each other, but really, development-wise, it's good for both horses."

Smile Happy, the 2-1 program favorite, and Creative Minister, pegged at 3-1 odds, have been stabled this winter and early spring at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in New Orleans. 

Smile Happy was among the country's leading Kentucky Derby prospects last year after winning both starts at 2, including the $400,000 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) at 1 1/16 miles, by a combined 8 3/4 lengths. After finishing second in two major Kentucky Derby preps to open his 3-year-old campaign, Smile Happy did not run again in 2022 after being beaten 10 lengths by Rich Strike  in Kentucky Derby. He was away with bone bruising, McPeek said.

"We turned him out for a little while at my farm in Lexington and when we brought him back, I still wasn't happy with the way he was moving. Then we turned him out again and just let him sit for a while. He's come back this time good. These things sometimes take a little longer than you think," McPeek said. "Really nice horse and excited about him as a 4-year-old and Creative Minister."

After finishing third in the Preakness, Creative Minister also finished third in the $135,000 Curlin Stakes July 29 at Saratoga Race Course, third in the $300,000 Smarty Jones Stakes (G3) Aug. 23 at Parx Racing, and second, beaten a nose, in the $275,000 Bourbon Trail Stakes at 1 3/16 miles Sept. 24 at Churchill Downs.

"We just stopped on him," McPeek said. "He had run winter, spring, summer, fall and it was just a good period for him to grow up a little bit."

McPeek said if Smile Happy and Creative Minister perform well Thursday, they could be considered for upcoming races at Oaklawn, Keeneland, or Churchill Downs.

Probable post time for Thursday's eighth race is 4:22 p.m. CT.