Will Runhappy's rags to riches story continue to the Breeders' Cup?

by Laura Pugh

Super Saver has proved himself quite a good sire, good enough to have a couple of sons in today’s Kings Bishop Stakes. Competitive Edge was supposed to rebound in the Kings Bishop. He was turning back in distance after a good effort in the Haskell Invitational, but as they swept under the wire it was the son of Super Saver nobody expected, running away in record time.

Runhappy, trained by the little known Maria Borell, last raced at Elis Park was let go at 11-1, but when the gates opened the only number he had on his mind was number one. Runhappy leaped out to take the lead then proceeded to set and absolutely scorching pace.

With the last two races going to closers it was almost a given that Runhappy would hit a brick wall after running a half mile in 44.54. Then the impossible happened, Runhappy kept on running. He came to the top of the stretch and turned back his competition, hitting the six furlong pole in a sparkling 1.08.17. At the wire there was no denying his dominance as he was well ahead of his nearest competitor. The final time of 1.20.40 was a Kings Bishop Stakes Record.

With his win Runhappy has went from rags to riches in less than a minute and 21 seconds. Before the race his trainer had been touting him quite heavily. “That’s my girl Maria (Borell) who trained Runhappy. She’s been telling me this horse is a freak.” Said John DaSilva

If this is any indication of Runhappy’s ability then the world of racing is in for one heck of a treat. The next logical step would be to take Runhappy to Belmont for either the Vosburgh or Kelso, both of which he would face older males. Being that his final time of 1.20.40 was actually faster than Private Zone’s 1.21.09, for the Forego, Runhappy could prove quite capable against his elders.

Will this rags to riches story continue all the way to the Breeders Cup? Was Runhappy’s race legit, or was he simply a benefactor of the Graveyard of Favorites?

Runhappy photo courtesy of NYRA/Adam Coglianese/Lauren King