Runhappy Sets Track Record in BC Sprint

Runhappy lived up to the hype and galloped home strong in the $1.5 million TwinSpires Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I), running down veteran grade I winner Private Zone in the final furlong to collect his fifth straight win Oct. 31 at Keeneland.

Racing for owner James McIngvale and trainer Maria Borell to give both their first Breeders' Cup wins, the 3-year-old Super Saver   colt set a new track record of 1:08.58 under Hall of Fame jockey Edgar Prado in the three-quarter-length victory. He was sent off the 8-5 favorite in a 14-horse field, and sewed up seasonal honors in the champion sprinter division.

"The plan was to try to go to the lead, come rolling out of there, don't be bottled up behind horses," Prado said. "Unfortunately, he's not real quick out of the gate. We used Plan B, which is stay behind horses. He took a little kickback and that's where he dropped a little back in the turn."

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It was Holy Boss and Private Zone who went out for the lead in the six-furlong Sprint, with Private Zone shifting over from post 13 to grab the advantage after a quarter in :22.05. Private Zone showed the way for a :44.31 half and five-eighths in :56.14, but Runhappy was gearing up to roll from third, and swept past full of run. Private Zone held for second, while Favorite Tale moved up to complete the trifecta.

The winner paid $5.20, $3.40, and $2.80, Private Zone brought $4.20 and $3.80 as the 7-2 second choice, and Favorite Tale paid $10.80 at odds of 23-1. Rounding out the order of finish were Salutos Amigos, Wild Dude, Kobe's Back, Stallwalkin' Dude, Ivan Fallunovalot, Big Macher, Limousine Liberal, Barbados, Alsvid, and Masochistic. 

Runhappy came off a solid victory in the Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix (gr. III) at Keeneland after collecting his first grade I, also in record-setting style, in the NYRA.com King's Bishop Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga Race Course.



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"He's very talented," said McInvale. "We're going to run him next year and see how he does and try to stretch him out. Should be a lot of fun."

Runhappy has never been given the anti-bleeding drug Lasix. From seven starts he has six wins, for earnings of $1,301,300.

"My favorite words are authentic, genuine, real, and transparent," McInvale said. "I think if we're going to talk the talk and walk the walk, we've got to do it. No Lasix for us. No drugs. Just hay, oats, and lots of water."

"And some mints," Borell added with a grin.