On the same day Paulick Report’s Joe Nevills named RUNHAPPY to his first team in his All-Value Sire Team series, the stallion’s Claiborne-bred son Happy American earned his first stakes win in the Listed Tenacious Stakes.
Happy American raced near the back of the field in the 1 1/16 mile race as he raced in the three path around the Fair Grounds while Five Star General set the pace. James Graham started moving the RUNHAPPY colt through the field as they raced around the turn with Happy Soul set for a serious bid as they entered the stretch.
That’s exactly what Happy Americandid, roaring down the stretch to collar Mr. Wireless just outside the furlong marker. There was no stopping the earner of nearly $350,000 with Happy Americanracing to a 2 ¾ length victory for Lothenbach Stables and Neil Pessin.
Happy Americanis the winner of four races with four other top three finishes in 15 starts and finished second in this same race last year.
He is the fifth stakes winner out of Quiet American mare Queen of America, who produced Grade 2 winner Well Monied and Grade 3 winner Economic Model among those winners. Well Monied is also the granddam of Grade 3 winner Will’s Secret.
Happy American is the sixth stakes winner of the year for RUNHAPPY, good enough for third among all third crop sires. Overall, RUNHAPPY is the sire of 11 stakes winners and 17 stakes performers with 11 stakes winners being fourth best among his generation.