Ima Happy Strike noses out Alsono in Inaugural

Ima Happy Strike turned the tables on Alsono at Arapahoe Park on Sunday, when he edged the 4-5 favorite by a nose to win the first stakes of the meet, the $40,000 Inaugural for 3-year-olds. It was another length back in third to Blackout.

Earlier this month, Ima Happy Strike finished third to Alsono in the $35,000 SunRay Park Handicap in New Mexico.

Ima Happy Strike ($12) on Sunday dueled with Alsono through fractions of 21.82 seconds for the opening quarter and 45.04 for the half-mile. He covered the six furlongs on a track rated fast in 1:12.57. Travis Wales rode the winner for trainer Dwain Eaton.

The Inaugural was the first stakes win for Ima Happy Strike, who races for Donna Eaton. He has now won 3 of 10 starts. Ima Happy Strike is a son of Smart Strike and he was bred in Kentucky by Hill ‘n’ Dale Holdings and Gaines-Gentry Thoroughbreds.