![]() ![]() McPeek also had another 2022 Triple Crown starter in Thursday’s eighth race in Creative Minister, who finished third in the Preakness and fifth in the Belmont Stakes. Owned by Lucky Seven Stable (Mike Mackin), Smile Happy raised his career earnings to $613,410 after winning for the third time in six starts. McPeek said he decided to stop on Smile Happy because of bone bruising and point the son of champion Runhappy to a 4-year-old campaign. Smile Happy was among the country’s leading Kentucky Derby prospects last year after winning both starts 2, including the $400,000 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) at 1 1/16 miles, by a combined 8 ¾ lengths.Īfter finishing second in two major Kentucky Derby preps to open his 3-year-old campaign, Smile Happy didn’t run again in 2022 after being beaten 10 lengths by Rich Strike in the Kentucky Derby. “It was such an impressive race and a really good time, too,” McPeek said. His comeback produced a preliminary Equibase speed rating of 104, a career high. McPeek said Smile Happy “likely” will make his next start in the $1 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2) for older horses at 1 1/8 miles April 22 at Oaklawn. Sometimes he has good days and sometimes he has bad days. The odds-on favorite, Smile Happy ($3.80) covered 1 1/8 miles over a sloppy track in a meet-best 1:48.95. Making his first start since finishing eighth in last May’s Kentucky Derby, Smile Happy recorded a 1 ¼-length allowance victory in the $106,000 eighth race under Francisco Arrieta. Grade 2 winner Smile Happy is headed back to stakes company after his successful comeback Thursday at Oaklawn, trainer Kenny McPeek said Friday morning. ![]()
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