Get Happy Mister tries to push track record to 7 for 7

Get Happy Mister might have a tactical advantage Saturday, when he attempts to run his Arapahoe Park record to 6 for 6 in the $40,000 Aspen Stakes. He appears to be the controlling speed in the six-furlong race for Colorado-bred 3-year-olds and up. Others set to start include fellow horse-for-course Wally Van.

Get Happy Mister is back home in Colorado after spending time racing at Oaklawn Park, Prairie Meadows, and Santa Anita. He started his career at Arapahoe in 2012, when he won his first four starts at the track, including the $100,000 Gold Rush Futurity. Get Happy Mister went on to win the $100,000 Northern Spur at Oaklawn last year and, in more recent times, was fourth March 30 in the $78,000 Santana Mile at Santa Anita.

“It’s pretty nice having him back,” said Kenneth “Butch” Gleason, the horse’s original trainer. “I’ve had some other pretty good [horses], but he’s probably the best.”

Gleason saddled Get Happy Mister to a wire-to-wire win in an Arapahoe allowance sprint May 26. The horse rolled by 4 3/4 lengths for Annette Bishop. Mike Ziegler was aboard and again has the mount Saturday from post 3.

Wally Van defeated open company last out in the $40,000 Arapahoe Park Sprint, in which he closed from five lengths off the pace to pick up his 10th local victory in the race run June 1. He might get a tracking trip behind Get Happy Mister. Travis Wales has the mount on Wally Van for Bill Vanlandingham and trainer Tyrone Gleason.