Trainer Kenny McPeek confirmed Lucky Seven Stable's Smile Happy (Runhappy) for next Saturday's GI Whitney S. at Saratoga Race Course, but his stablemate for the same owner, Rattle N Roll (Connect), will take his show on the road.
Both horses last raced in the GI Stephen Foster S. July 1 at Ellis Park. McPeek said Rattle N Roll will target either the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup at Saratoga or the GI Pacific Classic at Del Mar. Both races are run at 10 furlongs September 2 and are “Win and You're In” qualifiers for the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic.
Smile Happy, who captured the GII Alysheba S. May 5 at Churchill Downs, got his first glimpse of the Oklahoma training track Friday.
Smile Happy, who arrived in Saratoga Thursday night, did some gate schooling on the Oklahoma and then jogged with the pony for @KennyMcPeek Friday morning. Getting ready for the Whitney. pic.twitter.com/p4mBfZUNyc
— Tim Wilkin (@tjwilkin) July 28, 2023
“He galloped really well this morning over the Oklahoma track,” McPeek said. “This was his first day here. We stood him in the gate, backed him out and gave him some gate schooling. He did well.”
Smile Happy last breezed July 22 at Churchill Downs, completing a half-mile move in 49 seconds.
“We've had plenty of work into him at Churchill. He had a work days ago with a long, strong gallop and I don't know that we'll breeze him at all,” McPeek said.
McPeek described the 4-year-old as a quirky horse that likes doing things his own way.
“He's a bit of an alpha. He wants to run the show, but the talent is unquestioned,” McPeek said.
McPeek said Smile Happy will be ridden by jockey Brian Hernandez, Jr.
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