Runhappy's offspring on a tear

Eclipse Award champion sprinter Runhappy recorded his first stakes winner as a sire in February, as Nicky the Vest rolled to an 11 3/4-length score in the Gander Stakes at Aqueduct. With that runner leading a torrid streak for his sire, Runhappy heads toward the close of this month as the leading second-crop sire by individual winners, represented by 10 victors thus far in 2021.

New York-bred Nicky the Vest has won both his starts for Robert LaPenta and trainer Jonathan Thomas. The colt, a May foal, won his debut at Aqueduct in December before stepping up in the Gander.

Like his best runner to date, Claiborne Farm resident Runhappy also was a debut winner in December of his 2-year-old season. Perhaps indicating that more is still to come for his offspring as well, the son of Super Saver truly blossomed in the second half of his 3-year-old campaign, winning four consecutive graded stakes. His three Grade 1 triumphs in that span were highlighted by the 2015 Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Keeneland.

Runhappy was campaigned throughout his career by Jim McIngvale, who has robustly promoted his star as a stallion. While Runhappy is on his current streak, McIngvale has been occupied by his humanitarian efforts as of late, as he has been working to provide shelter, heat, and food for his fellow Houston residents struggling with vicious winter weather. As part of those efforts, McIngvale has opened his flagship Houston furniture store as a community shelter.