The GR III Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix

[TJ]

Runhappy makes his return against older this Friday on Keeneland's opening day card. It's gonna be a horse race with some quick older horses (as well as 2 other 3YO's) in the 12 horse field. PP's below. TJ

8th RACE. (C8) Post 4:57PM The 163rd Running of Stakes
The Stoll Keenon Ogden Phoenix (Grade III)
"Win and You're In Sprint Division"
$250,000
PURSE $250,000 6 Furlongs
FOR THREE YEAR OLDS AND UPWARD.
1 RUNHAPPY '12 C 122 Prado, E McIngvale, J Borell, M
2 GENTLEMEN'S BET(S) (L) '09 H 120 Albarado, R Rosenblum, H Moquett, R
3 BARBADOS (L) '12 C 120 Saez, L Suzanne Stables Tomlinson, M
4 HOLY BOSS (L) '12 C 120 Santana, Jr., R Durant, J Asmussen, S
5 SHARP SENSATION (L) '10 G 120 Ortiz, J Hill, S and J Baker, R
6 NATES MINESHAFT (L) '07 R 120 Mojica, Jr., R Windy Hill Farm Smith, A
7 A. P. INDIAN (L) '10 G 122 Centeno, D Green Lantern Stables LLC Delacour, A
8 ALSVID (L) '09 G 122 Landeros, C Black Hawk Stable (James Rogers) Hartman, C
9 FAST ANNA (L) '11 C 120 Hill, C Calabrese, F Catalano, W
10 BUMP START (L) '11 R 122 Lopez, P TK Stables Gorder, K
11 WACO (L) '11 G 120 Cancel, E Clifton, Jr., W Bond, H
12 WORK ALL WEEK (L) '09 G 122 Geroux, F Midwest Thoroughbreds, Inc. Brueggemann, R

Scroll down to Runhappy: http://www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/briswatc ... mmary.html

[jellac]

Interesting line up for a G3 level sprint in terms of the horses' respective age alone:

3 3YOs
3 4YOs
2 5YOs
2 7 YOs; and.....(wait for it....)......

1 8YO !! (You have to love it that NATE's MINESHAFT is still competing at this level at age 8 - at a sprint distance no less!) I wonder if his knowledge/experience and obvious competitiveness give him an edge here against the 'youngsters'? Love to see these older, steady campaigners in top level racing.

[Cree]

Work All Week
Holy Boss
Alsvid

[Aug27]

I think All the speed (like Fast Anna and Runhappy) sets it up for Sharp Sensation.
I also expect Luis Saez to make a big difference for Barbados ...

[TJ]

Runhappy...drew the high percentage 1 post and the expected off track (which his Daddy loved) adds to his chances.
Fast Anna...2nd start in the hands of trainer Wayne Catalano, worked very quick over this surface. Seems like he's been pointed for this one.
Work All Week...won this race last season, then followed up with an upset win in the BC Sprint over Secret Circle and Private Zone.
Holy Boss...3rd to Runhappy in last going 7/8ths, the drop back to 6f should be more to his liking.

[TJ]

Here's the finish:
Runhappy...was just that over the muddy track, 1 1/2 clear at the wire after coming out of the gate a step slow.
Barbados...got up by a 1/2 for the place over.
Work All Week...a solid 3rd off a layoff.
Holy Boss...was 2 1/2 further back for the 4th spot.

[TJ]

Here's the Replay: After a closer look at the race, he was left flat-footed coming out of there and was bumped and herded to the rail by the 2 horse. Prado put up a great ride on the horse to get the job done. I was concerned that his work prior to this race was 10 days ago....considering in his King's Bishop win, he worked 5 days out....but as it turned out, all's well that ends well:>) TJ
http://www1.drf.com/displayVideo.do?tra ... ountry=USA