TDN RISING STARS

August 31, 2012 - Saratoga, Race 1, Msw, USD $80,000, 5 1/2f

My Happy Face, f, 2, 2010 by Tiz Wonderful

1st Dam: Summer Star, by Siberian Summer
2nd Dam: Candi's Star, by Candi's Gold
3rd Dam: Forumstar, by Inherent Star

Owner: Michael Dubb
Breeder: Spendthrift Farm & Shawhan Place (KY)
Trainer: Rudy Rodriguez

My Happy Face made her 1-5 odds look quite generous in Friday's late 2:30 p.m. opener at the Spa. The $35,000 KEESEP yearling graduate gave fellow "TDN Rising Star" and GI Spinaway S. morning-line favorite Teen Pauline (Tapit) a decent run for her money while second, beaten 4 3/4 lengths at the Spa July 25, and had her time to shine in this scratched-down field of five. My Happy Face looked like she got a head start when they sprung the latch, immediately leading by three lengths in the early stages. The gray cruised through fractions of :22.34 and :45.15, and opened daylight in the stretch to win by what track announcer Tom Durkin called 21 or 22 lengths with a chuckle. Dixie Smile (Dixie Union) was officially 21 1/4 lengths back in second. Nice job, Tom. Trainer Rudy Rodriguez noted that gate schooling since her first race have been contributed to the victory. "We've been doing a lot of work [at the gate] in the morning," he explained. "It looks like it paid off. She's acted up in the gate before, but she's been behaving the last couple of times we schooled her, so when she broke on top, I said 'that's it.' She's a very nice filly. Hopefully she can continue improving." My Happy Face becomes the fifth winner for her freshman sire (by Tiznow). Lifetime Record: 2-1-1-0, $64,000.