James McIngvale's Runhappy (Super Saver), a disappointing fourth in the GIII Ack Ack H. at Churchill Downs Oct. 1, returned to work for the first time since that race Wednesday morning at Keeneland, working a mile in 1:38.80 under Gary Stevens. The 2015 champion sprinter posted splits of :23, :46.60, :58.80, 1:11.80, 1:25 en-route to his final clocking.
“I wanted to get him around two turns,” said trainer Laura Wohlers. “Gary said he was as smooth as silk. He gave him a little breather around the second turn and he finished strong. I wanted Gary to get on him since he had not been on him since December.”
Stevens flew to Louisville Tuesday and traveled to Keeneland for the work. The Hall of Famer is expected to be aboard Runhappy in the GI Breeders' Cup Las Vegas Dirt Mile Nov. 4 at Santa Anita. The Ack Ack marked Runhappy's his first start in over nine months, and Wohlers says she plans to work the colt one more time before he ships to California.
“His next work will be here or at The Thoroughbred Center,” Wohlers said. “I like it here with the turns.”
McIngvale, who was on hand at Keeneland for the workout, said Runhappy will only be pre-entered in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile when pre-entries close Oct. 24. The colt won the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint last autumn.
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