So Happy sharp in five-furlong tune-up for Kentucky Derby

So Happy has trained forwardly since winning the Santa Anita Derby on April 4, and on Friday morning the Mark Glatt-trained colt posted his first work since the Santa Anita Derby stamped him as a contender for the Kentucky Derby.

Jockey Mike Smith was aboard So Happy for the five-furlong drill in 59.60. He worked in company with a Glatt-trained stablemate.

Glatt said So Happy “broke maybe a half-length off, and then just kind of got to the [workmate] when he wanted to, and got by him slightly.

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“He’s not a great work horse, but I thought for him, it was a very good work this morning,” Glatt added. “He’s been really good since the [Santa Anita Derby] with his energy.”

So Happy earned a 100 Beyer Speed Figure in the Santa Anita Derby, and is one of four who will enter off the Kentucky Derby off a triple-digit Beyer. The others are Further Ado, 106 in the Blue Grass; Commandment, 100 in the Florida Derby; and The Puma, 100 finishing second in the Florida Derby. Chief Wallabee earned a 100 Beyer two starts back finishing second in the Fountain of Youth.

The Santa Anita workout by So Happy was his final local workout before the Kentucky Derby. So Happy is scheduled to ship Tuesday to Churchill Downs, where he will post his final workout before the Derby.

So Happy, sired by Runhappy, has won three races and $480,000 from four starts. His majority owners are Hans and Ana Maron, who race as Saints or Sinners Stable. He is co-owned by Robbie Norman’s Norman Stable.

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