Runhappy Romps to Record King's Bishop Win
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James McIngvale's lightly raced Runhappy ran them off their feet Aug 29 in the $500,000 NYRA.com King's Bishop Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga Race Course, giving trainer Maria Borell her first grade I victory and collecting the first one of his own in stakes-record fashion.
Making just his fifth start and coming off a July 31 allowance optional claiming victory at Ellis Park, the 3-year-old Super Saver colt took command after the first quarter and drew off to a four-length victory in the seven-furlong sprint, finishing in 1:20.54 on a fast track—the quickest King's Bishop ever.
Runhappy, who races without the anti-bleeding medication furosemide, was ridden by Hall of Fame jockey Edgar Prado as part of a 117-pound impost and returned $24.60, $13.80, and $6.70 at odds of 11-1.
"I don't like drugs and I don't want to run on Lasix if a horse doesn't need it," Borell told the Saratoga Special in their Aug. 29 edition. "Runhappy doesn't need it and he's run Lasix-free in all of his starts."
Limousine Liberal was second in the field of 11, worth $16 and $8.70 at 15-1, followed home two lengths back by 5-2 favorite Holy Boss ($3.90), who shared co-highweight assignments of 121 pounds with March and Competitive Edge.
Completing the order of finish were Watershed, Grand Bili, March, Mr. Z, Competitive Edge, Classy Class, Commute, and Loose On the Town.
Bred in Kentucky by Wayne Lyster, Gray Lyster & Bryan Lyster out of the Broken Vow mare Bella Jolie, Runhappy improved his record to four wins from five starts for earnings of $331,300. He was a $200,000 purchase from the 2013 Keeneland September yearling sale when consigned by Ashview Farm.