Grade 2 winner Smile Happy is headed back to stakes company after his successful comeback Thursday at Oaklawn, trainer Kenny McPeek said Friday morning.
Making his first start since finishing eighth in last May's Kentucky Derby, Smile Happy recorded a 1 ¼-length allowance victory in the $106,000 eighth race under Francisco Arrieta. The odds-on favorite, Smile Happy ($3.80) covered 1 1/8 miles over a sloppy track in a meet-best 1:48.95.
“Thrilled,” McPeek said. “Tricky horse to train sometimes. Very independent. Sometimes he has good days and sometimes he has bad days. Just thrilled. He's such a good horse.”
McPeek said Smile Happy “likely” will make his next start in the $1 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2) for older horses at 1 1/8 miles April 22 at Oaklawn. His comeback produced a preliminary Equibase speed rating of 104, a career high.
“It was such an impressive race and a really good time, too,” McPeek said.
Smile Happy was among the country's leading Kentucky Derby prospects last year after winning both starts 2, including the $400,000 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2) at 1 1/16 miles, by a combined 8 ¾ lengths.
After finishing second in two major Kentucky Derby preps to open his 3-year-old campaign, Smile Happy didn't run again in 2022 after being beaten 10 lengths by Rich Strike in the Kentucky Derby. McPeek said he decided to stop on Smile Happy because of bone bruising and point the son of champion Runhappy to a 4-year-old campaign.
Owned by Lucky Seven Stable (Mike Mackin), Smile Happy raised his career earnings to $613,410 after winning for the third time in six starts.
McPeek also had another 2022 Triple Crown starter in Thursday's eighth race in Creative Minister, who finished third in the Preakness and fifth in the Belmont Stakes. Creative Minister finished fourth, beaten 8 ¼ lengths by Smile Happy, in his 4-year-old debut.
“Came back fine,” McPeek said. “Didn't seem to handle the mud quite as well. He struggled through it a little bit, but he'll improve off that. I think he wants a dry track.”
McPeek said Creative Minister could run in another allowance race before the Oaklawn meeting ends May 6 or resurface at Keeneland.
Smile Happy represented the third consecutive victory on the card for Arrieta.
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