Cal-Bred Make Happy Seeks Rebound in Hyacinth Stakes

The Japan Road to the Kentucky Derby returns to Tokyo Racecourse Feb. 17 with a filly looking to regain her lead in the points standings.

Make Happy, a California-bred daughter of Square Eddie , is among 10 3-year-olds set to tackle the one-mile Hyacinth Stakes, which shares the program with the February Stakes (G1) for older horses over the same distance.

Make Happy, owned by the powerhouse Yoshida family, won the first race in the Derby series, the Cattleya Sho, in November. At the time, Teruya Yoshida said she was not a candidate for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), but he held out on the possibility she might travel to Louisville for the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1).

KIECKHEFER: Make Happy Much the Best in Cattleya Sho

"If she will be this good from now on, we will consider it," Yoshida said.

Trainer Koichi Shinkai said the Yoshidas determined early in her training that should she travel overseas, American racing might suit Make Happy better than the primary alternative of Dubai.

Things went a bit awry when the series moved to Kawasaki, a regional track, for the second leg of the Derby qualifying series. Make Happy, perhaps unhappy with the sloppy going, finished fourth in the Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun behind Nova Lenda, Derma Louvre, and Gal Vihara.

Make Happy earned 10 points for the Cattleya Sho win and two for the fourth-place finish at Kawasaki. Nova Lenda, who picked up 20 points for his win, is not contesting the Hyacinth. The only other points holder in the field is Derma Louvre, who earned eight for the runner-up finish at Kawasaki.

The Hyacinth is worth 30 points to the winner, and a victory would vault Make Happy to a comfortable lead in the series, which concludes March 31 at Nakayama with the Fukuryu Stakes. That race offers 40 points to the winner, with 16, eight, and four for the minor placings.

Make Happy, out of the Ten Most Wanted mare Silar Rules, was bred by Reddam Racing and sold to Shadai Farm at Fasig-Tipton's The Gulfstream Sale in March for $650,000. She is a full sister to grade 1 winner Ralis.

The Hyacinth field also includes Orthographe, an Irish-bred Godolphin homebred by Pyro who finished second to Derma Louvre in his most recent start in November. Oval Ace, a Henny Hughes colt, and Weitblick, by Symboli Kris S, both finished their juvenile season 2-for-2 on the dirt and will make their seasonal debut.