Runhappy brings big Beyer into allowance sprint
It’s not often a horse with a triple-digit Beyer Speed Figure in his most recent start shows up in an allowance race at Ellis Park, but that will be the case Friday when Runhappy makes the fourth start of his enigmatic career.
“We thought about a stakes for him and even nominated him to the Amsterdam at Saratoga,” said Maria Borell, who trains Runhappy for Jim McIngvale. “But he still does things a little green that he couldn’t afford if he ran in a big race like that. The timing is right at Ellis, and if he runs big again Friday, we’ll go in a stakes next time.”
The Ellis Park morning line lists Runhappy as a 12-1 chance for the seventh of eight Friday races, a $32,500, second-level allowance at 6 1/2 furlongs, but that’s absurd. Not only did the colt earn a 100 Beyer Speed Figure in winning a July 7 allowance at Indiana Grand by five lengths, but he already has something of a cult following.
Runhappy, a bay 3-year-old by Super Saver, drew considerable attention last winter by the way he won his career debut Dec. 29 at Turfway Park. He got away to an awful start but easily overcame it, prevailing by 8 1/4 lengths and earning an 85 Beyer. He then was tried in the Grade 3 Lecomte on Jan. 17 at Fair Grounds, where the colt had the lead at the half-mile pole even after a very troubled first quarter-mile, ultimately tiring down the stretch in that two-turn race.
McIngvale, a 64-year-old Texan whose colorful exploits in the business and sporting worlds have earned him the nickname “Mad Man Mac,” often hires trainers unknown to most racing insiders. Laura Wohlers has trained for him for years, and she was the trainer of Runhappy for the colt’s first two starts.
“He got some time off after the Lecomte and was sent to me in April,” said Borell, who is based at the Thoroughbred Center training facility in Lexington, Ky., with seven horses, including four for McIngvale. “He’s really talented – freaky talented. He doesn’t realize how good he is. He does everything so effortlessly. He’s had issues coming out of the gate, but we’ve been working hard on that.”
Erin Walker, a seven-pound apprentice with 33 career victories, has the mount Friday. Walker works closely with Borell in the mornings and rode the colt in his last start at Indiana Grand.
Borell, 32, grew up in Syracuse, N.Y., and moved to Kentucky six years ago before starting her training career in 2013. Her career record: two wins from 24 starters. She said the similarity of her name to Hall of Fame jockey Calvin Borel means she frequently is asked if they are related. “Just about every single person asks,” she said with a laugh. “Obviously, they’re not spelled the same.”
Borell said there were frequent inquiries last winter by agents trying to buy Runhappy from McIngvale. “It’s my understanding he turned down more than $1 million,” she said. Noting that the colt was a $200,000 purchase at the 2013 Keeneland September yearling sale, she said McIngvale “wants to win races and not just make money.”
Runhappy is part of an oversubscribed field in Friday’s race. First post is 12:50 p.m. Central, with the seventh set for 3:40. Ellis Park racing is usually available on HRTV.
◗ Through 12 of 31 programs at Ellis, field size is averaging a solid 8.26 starters per race. Last year, the average was 7.31. Prior averages were 8.15 in 2013 and 8.38 in 2012.