Happy Like a Fool Returns in TCA Stakes
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Photo: Chad B. Harmon
Happy Like a Fool wins the Miss Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course
In her first start since winning the May 18 Adena Springs Miss Preakness Stakes (G3) at Pimlico Race Course, Happy Like a Fool will step up in class in the $250,000 Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes (G2) Oct. 6 at Keeneland.
Owned by Merribelle Stable, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, and Susan Magnier, Happy Like a Fool will make only her third start this year. The Wesley Ward trainee opened her season with a fourth-place finish in the Beaumont Stakes Presented by Keeneland Select (G3).
"She's doing great right now, beautiful works," Ward said. "She's ready to go."
The 3-year-old daughter of Distorted Humor has breezed six times at Keeneland since Aug. 22. In her last timed work Sept. 29, Happy Like a Fool went six furlongs—the TCA distance—in 1:13 2/5.
"She had a couple of minor things," Ward said in reference to his filly's short layoff. "When we resumed her schedule, she's been working without any hitches for the last couple months. She's doing great. This was our race that we had planned on running in as a prep for the Breeders' Cup, so hopefully it all goes well.
"We're at Keeneland, and they always race strong there," Ward said. "It will be a good test to see where we stand as far as our next assignment."
The Thoroughbred Club of America has drawn a field of 10 older fillies and mares, including California-bred Miss Sunset, who enters off a win in the listed C.E.R.F. Stakes at Del Mar. The daughter of Into Mischief has done well in two starts at Keeneland and will be seeking her second grade 2 score at the Kentucky track. The 4-year-old won last year's Lexus Raven Run Stakes (G2) and finished second by a nose to Finley'sluckycharm in the April 7 Madison Stakes (G1).
Happy Alter and Bridlewood Farm's 5-year-old Curlin's Approval will be the oldest entrant in Saturday's race. The multiple graded stakes winner has never won at Keeneland and the Thoroughbred Club of America will mark the 21st start for Curlin's Approval, who took the Sugarloaf Key Handicap at Gulfstream Park last out.
Also entered is recent Regret Stakes winner Chalon; last year's Prioress Stakes (G2) winner Vertical Oak; multiple graded stakes-placed Torrent; and stakes winner Golden Mischief, who has won her past two starts in the Saylorville Stakes and West Virginia Secretary of State Stakes. Awestruck, Crazy Sweet, and Rich Mommy complete the field.
Keeneland, Saturday, October 06, 2018, Race 7Entries: Thoroughbred Club of America S. (G2)
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
1Rich Mommy (KY)
Luis Saez
120
Victor Barboza, Jr.
20/1
2
2Torrent (KY)
Corey J. Lanerie
120
Ron Moquett
20/1
3
3Miss Sunset (CA)
Mike E. Smith
120
Jeff Bonde
3/1
4
4Vertical Oak (KY)
Ricardo Santana, Jr.
120
Steven M. Asmussen
4/1
5
5Awestruck (KY)
Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.
120
George R. Arnold, II
15/1
6
6Happy Like a Fool (KY)
John R. Velazquez
118
Wesley A. Ward
10/1
7
7Golden Mischief (KY)
Florent Geroux
120
Brad H. Cox
7/2
8
8Curlin's Approval (KY)
Tyler Gaffalione
120
Happy Alter
5/1
9
9Chalon (KY)
Javier Castellano
120
Arnaud Delacour
4/1
10
10Crazy Sweet (KY)
Jose Lezcano
120
Glenn S. Wismer
30/1
