Happy Soul eyeing two-turn start in Ashland Stakes
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – Happy Soul’s win in the $150,000 Dixie Belle last weekend at Oaklawn Park was a special victory for the family of her jockey, John Velazquez.
Trainer Wesley Ward said shortly after the stakes he got a call from the rider’s wife, Leona.
“She said ‘The race meant so much to us,’ ’’ Ward recalled. “She said, ‘My mother just died. All of us were cheering the filly. It was an upbeat moment for a sad day, because of the name, Happy Soul.’ ”
Happy Soul left Oaklawn on Tuesday for Keeneland, and she is scheduled to make her next start at the Lexington, Ky., track. Ward said she likely will run in the Grade 1, $600,000 Ashland, a 1 1/16-mile race April 8 that would mark the two-turn debut for Happy Soul.
“It’s two turns, but it’s where she’s trained her whole life,” Ward said. “Our horses seem to jump up a notch when they get to Keeneland, just because it’s their home.
“We’ll take it one step at a time. The Ashland looks like a perfect fit as long as everything goes well. If not, we’ll detour to the Beaumont.”
The Grade 3 Beaumont over seven furlongs is April 10 at Keeneland.
Ward said after the Dixie Belle he had his assistant immediately ask Velazquez if he felt Happy Soul would handle stretching out to two turns.
“Johnny said ‘Absolutely,’ ’’ Ward said.
Happy Soul won her third straight race in the Dixie Belle. It served as her 3-year-old debut, and she rallied from just off the pace and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 80. Last year, the filly won a maiden special weight and the Astoria Stakes, both at Belmont Park. Happy Soul is 3 for 4, with her lone loss a runner-up finish when facing colts in a maiden special weight in her career debut at 2.
Gayla Rankin owns Happy Soul.
“She’s a fantastic owner, and I was more happy for her than anyone,” Ward said. “She’s a great lady to have a great horse.”
Happy Soul’s wins have come by a combined margin of 26 1/4 lengths.
“She’s just a runner,” Ward said. “It’s one of those intangibles.”