Saratoga: My Happy Face headed to to Test

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - My Happy Face, runner-up to Princess of Sylmar in the Coaching Club American Oaks at 1 1/8 miles, will cut back in distance and make her next start in the Grade 1, $500,000 Test at seven furlongs on Aug. 24.

The Coaching Club was My Happy Face’s first start around two turns. In six previous starts around one turn, My Happy Face had three wins and three seconds, including a victory in the Grade 3 Tempted at one mile at Aqueduct.

“I was happy with her first two-turn race,” trainer Chad Brown said. “But when you’re dealing between a mile and a quarter and seven-eighths, I’m more confident cutting her back than trying to squeeze an extra eighth of a mile out of her.”

Following the Coaching Club, Brown sent My Happy Face back to Belmont, where she has trained basically most of the spring since owner Michael Dubb moved her from Rudy Rodriguez to Brown. On Saturday, My Happy Face worked five furlongs in 1:01.41 over the training track.

“When I got her, my goal was to find an environment that was going to work for her, and at Belmont she really seems to get along well over there,” Brown said. “She has continued to improve. I don’t know if it’s because of Belmont . . . I just don’t want to change anything.”