Runhappy posts 5-furlong bullet from gate for TwinSpires.com BC Sprint

TwinSpires.com Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) contender Runhappy broke sharply from the gate to post a :57.80 five-furlong bullet work over Keeneland’s fast main track on Wednesday with exercise rider Marcus O’Donnell aboard.

After the renovation break, Runhappy took a tour of the paddock, galloped once around the track and then headed to the gate for his move, which was the fastest of 32 at the distance on the day.

Clockers recorded his splits as :12.20, :23.20, :34.60, :45.40 and :57.80 with a gallop-out time of 1:10.60

The Maria Borell trainee shipped in from his conditioner’s home base at The Thoroughbred Center just north of Lexington, Kentucky, and was ready to fire in his first move since taking the October 2 Phoenix S. (G2).

That win earned the Super Saver colt an automatic berth into the TwinSpires.com Breeders’ Cup Sprint on October 31 at Keeneland.

“It was beautiful. I’m happy,” Borell said, adding that she worked Runhappy from the gate “just to sharpen him up a little bit, especially if we draw the dreadful rail again. He broke a lot better today. I think he’s pretty good at this point.”

Runhappy drew the inside post in the Phoenix, one race after taking Saratoga’s King’s Bishop S. (G1) by four lengths from the far outside 11 post.

Borell said Runhappy will stay at The Thoroughbred Center until the week of the Breeders’ Cup but will return next week to Keeneland for his final work ahead of the Sprint.

In other TwinSpires.com Breeders’ Cup Sprint news, multiple Grade 1 hero Private Zone arrived at Keeneland on Tuesday ahead of his third try in that six-furlong contest. He finished 10th in the 2013 edition but moved up to third, beaten just 1 3/4 lengths, in last year’s running.

The Jorge Navarro-trained son of Macho Uno shipped in from Monmouth Park but was last seen in competition taking the August 29 Forego S. (G1) at Saratoga by 3 3/4 lengths. He jogged over Keeneland’s main track Wednesday morning.

Irish-bred Mutatis Mutandis also arrived on Tuesday and took a tour of Keeneland on Wednesday. The Mastercraftsman filly visited the all-weather training track under Michaela Carter for trainer Ed Walker.

The gray four-year-old miss shipped stateside to record a third in the October 3 Flower Bowl S. (G1) in her U.S. debut at Belmont Park, where she stayed until arriving Tuesday, and is headed to the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) on October 31. Walker is expected to arrive a few days before the race.

Runhappy photos courtesy of Keeneland/Coady Photography