Runhappy Records Second Work, Covers Five Furlongs At Keeneland

Champion sprinter Runhappy recorded his second public work of the year Thursday morning when he covered five furlongs in :58 at Keeneland.

The Blood-Horse reports that the 4-year-old son of Super Saver went the first furlong in :15 3/5, then picked it up as he rolled through a half-mile in :44. The colt galloped out six furlongs in 1:11 3/5.

Runhappy returned to the work tab last week when he completed three furlongs in :34 4/5 on Aug. 25.

“He came out of the breeze last week really well,” trainer Laura Wohlers told the Blood-Horse. “If he comes out as well after this, I'll be really thrilled. I think this was a little harder on him this morning. He's blowing a little bit which he wasn't last time. But that's part of getting fit. He's just something else.”

Both Wohlers and owner Jim McIngvale are targeting the one-mile G3 Ack Ack Stakes at Churchill Downs Oct. 1 for Runhappy's return. After that, a trip to the Breeders' Cup, this time to start in the G1 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile is the plan. Wohlers indicated that she plans to van Runhappy over to Churchill Downs to school and do some track work.

“I just need to look at the calendar,” Wohlers said. “We definitely want one, if not two, trips over to Churchill. That surface is a funny surface. We'll see how he goes. He loves Keeneland.”

Which group should be doing more when it comes to Thoroughbred aftercare?

Staff