Runhappy has second breeze of 2016, zipping five furlongs

The champion sprinter Runhappy took another step forward in his comeback Thursday at Keeneland, stretching out to work five furlongs in 58 seconds flat.

Keeneland clockers caught the colt, with exercise rider Marcus O’Donnell aboard, going a half in 44 4/5 seconds en route to his five-furlong clocking. He galloped out in 1:11 3/5.

This was the second official work of 2016 for Runhappy, who breezed three furlongs at Keeneland last week. The colt, who arrives by trailer to work at Keeneland from his base at the nearby Thoroughbred Training Center, has not raced since winning the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes on Dec. 26 at Santa Anita. He was sidelined by foot problems and bone bruising earlier this year.

Runhappy’s first target is the Grade 3 Ack Ack Stakes at a mile on Oct. 1 at Churchill Downs. The race could be a prep for the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Santa Anita, as owner James McIngvale and trainer Laura Wohlers plan to stretch the colt out in distance.