Runhappy Eager in Final Breeders' Cup Work

Still full of antics but much more willing than in his penultimate move, reigning champion male sprinter Runhappy turned in his final work in advance of the Nov. 4 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (gr. I) when he drilled five furlongs in a snappy :58 2/5 at Santa Anita Park Oct. 29.

The 4-year-old son of Super Saver   is notoriously stubborn during his morning outings, and tested exercise rider Marcus O'Donnell with a few balks as he readied for his last bit of fine tuning. Once the duo broke off at the half-mile pole, Runhappy clipped along without urging and finished up with a big six-furlong gallop out—a smoother outing overall than his one-mile work in 1:39 at Keeneland Oct. 19.

WINCZE-HUGHES: 'Stubborn' Runhappy Works a Mile at Keeneland

"I thought he looked good down the stretch and Marcus wasn't having to ask him or anything," trainer Laura Wohlers said of the drill, which took place in the darkness during a 5 a.m. workout session. "That's a nice, strong work and that's all we wanted out of him. He's been galloping very strong in the mornings, so we'll go light between now and (the Dirt Mile)."

Owned by James McIngvale, Runhappy captured the TwinSpires Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) last October but has only made two starts since that championship-clinching run. Hampered by bone bruising this year, the bay colt didn't make his seasonal bow until Oct. 1, when he finished fourth in the one mile Ack Ack Handicap (gr. III) at Churchill Downs. 

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Wohlers acknowledges the time crunch with getting Runhappy set for the Dirt Mile. She feels that getting the headstrong colt mentally ready for the two-turn test has been as big a key as cranking up his stamina. 

"We did those two-mile breezes and that's why we did that second mile breeze instead of going a little shorter. We wanted to make sure he understood the second turn," Wohlers said. "And (the second turn) was the fastest part of his breeze that day, so I think we accomplished that. We just hope he takes a breather in between and continues on in that second turn.

"He's as ready as he can be with one race under him. We're a little behind the eight ball with not being able to have more races, but there is nothing you can do about that. But better that he got time off and that he's sound."

Runhappy will be seeking his first win beyond seven furlongs when he attempts the Dirt Mile. Bred by Gray, Bryan, and Wayne Lyster, he has won seven of nine starts with $1,486,250 in earnings.

During the 6:30 a.m. workout session on the Santa Anita main track, Breeders' Cup contenders Ashleyluvssugar (gr. IT Turf, five furlongs in 1:00 2/5), With Honors (gr. I Juvenile Fillies or gr. IT Juvenile Fillies Turf, five furlongs in 1:05 4/5), and Gloryzapper (gr. I Filly & Mare Sprint, five furlongs in 1:01 1/5) also put in timed moves. On the training track, Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT) contender Obviously went five furlongs in 1:00 1/5.