RUNHAPPY’s Happy Soul hadn’t made a start since her win in last June’s Astoria Stakes but trainer Wesley Ward had her ready to run on Saturday when she registered a three-length victory in the Dixie Belle Stakes.
Happy Soul raced on the leader’s heels early in the six furlong race, moving up to that one’s hip after just a few furlongs. That leader left a horse-sized hole open on the rail and it was just what the RUNHAPPY daughter needed to make her run.
Happy Soul stuck with the leader for about a sixteenth before waving goodbye as she started pulling away. Only one horse was able to get within five lengths of her at the line with BLAME’s Hypersport earning her first blacktype when third.
Happy Soul was a yearling purchase by Gayla Rankin at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale from the James M. Herbener Jr. consignment.
The filly bred by Harris Training Center is one of two stakes winners for Cowgirl Lucky alongside Grade 3 winning Calgary Caper with their dam producing seven winners in all.
Happy Soul is one of four stakes winners and five stakes performers from RUNHAPPY’s current 3-year-old crop. That group includes the Grade 2 winning Smile Happy, who finished second in the Risen Star (G2) less than an hour after Happy Soul’s victory.