Going off as the race favorite, 2-year-old Happy Soul gave RUNHAPPY his first 2-year-old winner of the year when the filly romped by 11 ¾ lengths at Belmont Park.
Racing over five furlongs in the Maiden Special Weight, the Wesley Ward charge immediately went to the lead under John Velazquez and was gone in a flash. Opening more than five lengths on the field in only a few strides, Happy Soul was well ahead before the others could blink.
Velazquez never had to ask his mount to work for the win with the Gayla Rankin owned 2-year-old opening up at every pole. Galloping down the stretch, she won by 11 ¾ lengths at the end with the third placed horse 16 ½ lengths behind the leader.
It was the second start for the filly, who finished second at Keeneland in her debut last month.
Bred by Harris Training Center, Happy Soul is a half-sister to Grade 3 winner Calgary Caper among her dam’s seven winners from nine to race. Her dam is also a half-sister to stakes-placed Cherokee Path and the dam of multiple graded stakes winner Wildman Jack.
Runhappy is now at 18 winners for 2021, with both his number of winners and stakes horses (four) among the top of his crop this year.