It was another dominant winner for RUNHAPPY at Keeneland on Sunday when juvenile Happy Is a Choice romped to a five length Maiden Special Weight victory.
Happy Is a Choice battled for the lead early in the 5 ½ furlong dirt race before taking command just over a quarter into the race. Once he had command, he started to build his margin with no other horse coming with him. In the stretch, he found another gear to win by five lengths with the third placed runner 7 ¼ lengths behind.
Happy Is a Choice is trained by John Alexander Ortiz for Hooties Racing, WSS Racing, and 4G Racing and has hit the board in two of three starts.
Bred by Builder’s Mart, Happy Is a Choice is one of four winners from four to race out of a half-sister to multiple graded stakes winner Florida Won. That mare, Fast Alexia, is a granddaughter of Broodmare of the Year Oatsee, who produced three-time Grade 1 winner Shackleford and Grade 1 winner Lady Joanne among her five stakes winners.
RUNHAPPY is the sire of nine juvenile winners this year with the group including stakes winner Somebody’s Problem.