Super Saver’s ultra-fast 3-year-old Runhappy put his talent on full display in Saturday’s $1.5 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) at Keeneland, setting a six furlong track record of 1:08.54 and virtually assuring himself being named champion sprinter of 2015.
Runhappy has been perfect since coming under the care of trainer Maria Borell, winning all six of his starts, including the King’s Bishop S. (G1) and Phoenix S. (G3) in his two outings prior to the Breeders’ Cup.
Jockey Edgar Prado let Private Zone and Holy Boss tangle for the early lead while he kept Runhappy neatly in third. After a half-mile in :44.31 seconds, Runhappy angled wide and took aim on the leaders. Private Zone put away Holy Boss in mid-stretch, but Runhappy had too much in the final furlong, surging to the front in last sixteenth of a mile to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:08.58.
“I remember thinking after he won the Phoenix that I have only been on one horse who ran that fast and wasn’t breathing hard after the race,” said Prado. “And that was Barbaro. The similarity between this horse and Barbaro is very close.”
An emotional Borell heaped praise on her star colt.
“I’ll be honest: When he wasn’t on the lead, I was a little nervous around the turn,” said Borell. “I didn’t think he’d be a fan of getting all that kickback in his face. But once he got in the clear, I knew we’d be okay. This is unbelievable, unreal, a track record, oh my God. He’s such a cool horse; he’s got a great personality. I don’t think he knows how really talented he is.”
Runhappy, owned by Jim McIngvale, upped his lifetime earnings to $1,301,300 and has won six of his seven lifetime starts. He is Super Saver’s leading earner this year and has propelled his sire to second on the Second-Crop sire list with nearly $4 million in progeny earnings.
McIngvale said afterward that Runhappy would run in 2016.
Super Saver will stand next year at WinStar Farm for $55,000 live foal.
