Runhappy Back on Work Tab; Malibu Next

Oblivious to a lawsuit and controversy between his connections and former trainer, James McIngvale's Runhappy is on track for the Dec. 26 Malibu Stakes (gr. I) at Santa Anita Park.

In his first workout since an impressive Oct. 31 victory in the TwinSpires Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I), the Super Saver   colt breezed Nov. 15 at The Thoroughbred Center in Lexington, going four furlongs in :48 1/5, fastest among 17 horses working the distance. Regular exercise rider Omar Torres was aboard for the work.

"We're just starting him out nice and easy," said McIngavale's racing manager Laura Wohlers, who has returned to the role of trainer following the post-Breeders' Cup departure of trainer Maria Borell. "It was just an easy breeze. After the Breeders' Cup, we just gave him a couple of weeks off of easy jogging and light galloping. We wanted to get him back track."

Wohlers said Runhappy, who has won six of seven career starts and earned in excess of $1.3 million, will work five furlongs probably Nov. 24 and will ship to Santa Anita either Nov. 29 or Dec. 3, depending upon the shipping company's schedule.

Since being dismissed as Runhappy's trainer following the Breeders' Cup, Borell has filed a lawsuit against McIngvale, seeking a portion of purses earned by Runhappy, some in his stakes victories. Despite the well-publicized dispute between owner and former trainer, Wohlers, who was one of Runhappy's trainers previous to Borell, said little else has changed within the Runhappy camp.