Happy Is a Choice goes last to first in Ring the Bell Stakes

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Happy Is a Choice gave jockey Ramon Vazquez a sweep of the opening weekend stakes at Oaklawn Park when he rallied up the rail for a neck win over Gulfport in the $150,000 Ring the Bell Stakes on Saturday.

Vazquez was aboard Kale’s Angel for his win in the $150,000 Advent on Friday.

Happy Is a Choice ($5) broke last of all from the rail and settled in fourth behind leader Gulfstream Way, who set fractions of 22.97 seconds for the opening quarter and 47.28 for the half-mile. The eventual winner found room along the inside coming into the stretch and rallied to edge Gulfport. The winner covered the distance on a fast track in 1:11.78.

Gulfstream Way held third, finishing 2 1/4 lengths behind Gulfport.

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Happy Is a Choice came into the Ring the Bell off a win in the Louisville Thoroughbred Society Stakes on Sept. 14 at Churchill Downs. For his effort in the race he earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 104.

John Ortiz trains Happy Is a Choice for the partnership of Hooties Racing, WSS Racing and 4G Racing.

Disco Ball and Run Classic were scratched from the Ring the Bell.

The race is named for a fundraising effort for retired Thoroughbreds in Arkansas – a nod to the bell in the winner’s circle that connections can ring after a race to indicate a portion of the purse just earned will go to the local organization.

Happy Is a Choice is a son of Runhappy. He has now won 6 of 12 starts for earnings of $651,580.

There is no Sunday racing for opening weekend. Racing will resume Friday.

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