Runhappy must overcome inside post in speed-laden Phoenix
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Maybe she hasn’t seen enough horses get shut off or shuffled back after breaking from the inside post in sprint races. Or maybe it’s her willful exuberance and youth that can overcome all.
Whatever the case, Maria Borell is refreshingly optimistic that nothing can stop Runhappy in his march toward greatness – not even post 1 in a lineup jammed with opposing speed.
“I believe in my horse,” said Borell, a 31-year-old trainer with all of four career wins.
Runhappy, with Edgar Prado to ride, will be asked to overcome the sometimes-tricky rail slot when facing older horses Friday in the 163rd running of the Grade 3, $250,000 Phoenix Stakes on the opening-day card at Keeneland. The 3-year-old colt earned an eye-popping 113 Beyer Speed Figure in winning the Aug. 29 King’s Bishop, a spectacle still reverberating in some parts, particularly at his home base at the Thoroughbred Center training facility on the other side of Lexington.
“He’s trained really well since the King’s Bishop, so we’re hoping for another big one Friday,” said Borell.
The six-furlong Phoenix is a Win and You’re In event toward the Oct. 31 Breeders’ Cup Sprint, a race won last year at Santa Anita from post 13 by Work All Week – who just happens to be among the opposition when comfortably drawn again in the far-outside post in the Phoenix field of 12. Work All Week also is the defending race winner in the Phoenix, which he won last fall from the far-outside post.
“It’s a good post,” said Florent Geroux, who has ridden Work All Week in his last five starts and has the return call Friday. “I would rather be outside than inside.”
Situated between the two Phoenix favorites are 10 others who by themselves would make for a terrific renewal in their own right, including Holy Boss, Alsvid, Fast Anna, and Waco.
Post time is 4:57 p.m. Eastern for the Phoenix, which directly precedes the Grade 1 Alcibiades as the eighth of 10 Friday races.
KEY CONTENDERS
Runhappy (Last 3 Beyers: 113-94-97)
◗ Owned by the colorful Houston furniture dealer Jim “Mattress Mac” McIngvale, this Super Saver colt has attracted an ever-growing following of almost cult-like proportions after opening his career with four wins from five starts; his 113 Beyer is the highest in 2015 for a 3-year-old at any distance.
DRF FORMULATOR FACT: No. 1 Runhappy. Won the King’s Bishop last out; horses to run since have gone 5-0-1-0 in their next start. Click for more details. – Mike Hogan
:: Learn more about Formulator | Buy Formulator PPs
:: Follow the @DRFFormulator Twitter feed and get free Formulator facts
Work All Week (Last 3 Beyers: 105-93-93)
◗ This Illinois-bred gelding might well be rounding into peak form at an opportune time after starting his 6-year-old campaign with two ordinary races.
◗ Trainer Roger Brueggemann has tightened the proverbial screws with three Churchill Downs breezes since an easy Aug. 1 victory at Mountaineer.
Holy Boss (Last 3 Beyers: 100-102-100)
◗ One of a trio of 3-year-olds in here (with Runhappy and Barbados), he was third as the favorite in the King’s Bishop after reeling off four straight victories for trainer Steve Asmussen.
Fast Anna (Last 3 Beyers: 95-95-80)
◗ This curiously named 4-year-old with some big prior efforts “is coming into this race some kind of good, boy,” said Wayne Catalano, who trains the colt for owner and breeder Frank Calabrese.