Lothenbach Stables' Happy Americannotched to his second consecutive Fair Grounds stakes triumph when besting a pair of determined rivals late in the $150,000 Louisiana (G3) on Saturday.
Off the pace early in the 1 1/16-mile race, the 5-year-old Runhappy gelding unleashed a determined bid in the final furlong and outbattled front-runners Forza Di Oro and Mr. Wireless in the closing stages to prevail by a neck.
Mr. Wireless finished second, a neck to the good of Forza Di Oro, who was third after setting the early pace.
Ridden by James Graham for trainer Neil Pessin, Happy American covered the distance in 1:45.33 on a fast track, improving his career line to 5-1-3 from 16 starts and increasing his lifetime bankroll to $437,376.
He returned $10 for the victory.
Happy American was bred in Kentucky by Claiborne Farm. Out of the Quiet American mare Queen of America, he was a $385,000 Keeneland September yearling sale purchase in 2019 from his breeder's consignment.
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