Drafted gets out of doghouse with Runhappy triumph

ELMONT, N.Y. - Drafted got himself back into the good graces of his handlers Saturday with his victory in the Grade 3 $150,000 Runhappy Stakes.

About three weeks ago, on the pony track, Drafted unseated exercise rider Lara Duggan, who suffered a concussion.

“There’s no malice in him,” trainer David Duggan said. “He’s a likeable rogue.”

There was more to like about Drafted after he won his second stakes in his last three starts. In February, he won the Grade 3 Toboggan before finishing fifth in the Grade 1 Carter Handicap. David Duggan said he will maintain realistic expectations for Drafted going forward, not looking to hunt big game.

“We’ll leave everything open and try and stay away from your Jackie’s Warrior and those horses,” Duggan said. “We know where we belong and we’ll try to keep him there.”

There are two other sprint stakes at this meet, though the Grade 2, $300,000 True North on June 10 could attract Jackie’s Warrior. Belmont also has the Grade 2, $250,000 John Nerud on July 2.

Drafted, an 8-year-old gelding by Field Commission, improved his record to 8-2-3 from 27 starts and now has earnings of $939,193.

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