The Runhappy (Grade 3)- $175.000 Purse
BEL- For Four Year Olds and Upward
Six Furlongs on the Dirt
May 13, 2023

Many virtual race fans made their Saturday BEL plans not expecting to have any concerns about rain. Their aggravations were only a fraction of what was likely felt in the paddock as whatever small percentage of precipitation that there was, played out enough to leave the track only listed as good. While there was no sun here in New York, there was California Sun in the winner’s circle and with him, was Rudy Is With Me, as the two of them finished in a dead heat. Neither of these two horses were much of a surprise, as there were the second and third choices on the board. We picked Rudy Is With Me, but did not have California Sun, though he was well spoken of in the preview despite not being picked. Rudy Is With Me is trained by Mb Stables, and he has now won the Runhappy three times. California Sun’s trainer is Royalty Stables, and he earned his first Runhappy trophy. The winning jockeys, respectively, were L Saez and K Carmouche, and for each of them, it was their first win. On the good track surface, the race went in a time of 1:10.06. Let’s take a look at it!

(1/4 Mile- :22.57)- Down the backstretch, Contradiction takes the early lead for Aer Stables but his lead is only about a quarter of a length, as one of our race winners, Royalty Stables- owned California Sun broke well from the rail. Adjournment was right there with them, between horses, for Bayou Star Farm. Next up, racing side by side for fourth but still within a length and a half of the race leader are Street Edge, out of Spankys Barn, and Sting Operation, for TwinTowersRacing. It’s close to two lengths to the trailers, which are the post time favorite from D J C Racing Stables, Two More Wishes, and the other eventual winner, Rudy Is With Me, for Mb Stables.

(1/2 Mile- :45.89, Top of Stretch, 1.8F To Go)- Midway through the turn, the steady stride of California Sun allows him to take over the lead while still being able to have a smooth trip on the rail. Adjournment takes over the second spot with the same consistent effort up to this point. The same cannot be said for Contradiction, who begins to look vulnerable over the second half of the turn. Street Edge was making good progress and looked to be the next one to get around Contradiction. Approaching the top of the stretch, Sting Operation swings to the far outside to try and make his move, and further back we have not seen much yet from Two More Wishes and Rudy Is With Me.

(Finish- 1:10.06)- With a furlong to go, California Sun was still looking good but had not yet put this race away. Adjournment was still within a half-length and keeping him honest while Street Edge was also closeby. It was not until around this time Adjournment and we begin to see Rudy Is With Me emerge as a contender for the race win. He had run behind Adjournment and was able to get enough of lane in the closing moments to split that one and Street Edge. Sting Operation’s outside bid could not be forgotten, either. Up front, California Sun was doing all he could and seemed like he would hang on, but Rudy Is With Me dug in deep to force a close photo. In the end, they could not be separated, and a dead heat was declared. Third place Adjournment was only beaten by them, by a neck, and that was narrowly in a photo over Sting Operation. Street Edge, Contradiction, and Two More Wishes round it out.

About The Winners:
California Sun, trained by Royalty Stables and ridden to victory by K Carmouche, is a five-year-old gelding by Sun Tzu and is out of Walk Away. He was bred in California by Barcelona Farms as a third quarter two-year-old, and was acquired by Royalty Stables, from Lanfranco Stable, with a $32.000 claim in mid-February of this year. Congratulations to the connections! The win is his fifth in 14 starts, third consecutive, and first stake win. His career earnings are now $150.100.

Rudy Is With Me, trained by Mb Stables and ridden to victory by L Saez, is a four-year-old gelding by Residue and is out of the late Take Faith. He was bred in California by Fractious as a yearling, and was acquired by Mb Stables in private sales, in February 2022, for $150.000. Congratulations to the connections! The win is his fifth in 22 starts, his second stake win and first graded win. His career earnings are now $540.640.

Track: Good
Time: :22²  :45⁴  :57⁴  1:10

$2 Mutuel Prices:

$1 Exacta: 1 – 6 Paid 8.00, 6 – 1 Paid 17.80
$1 Trifecta: 1 – 6 – 3 Paid 57.10, 6 – 1 – 3 Paid 85.10

Scratched: None

— NS

Categories: Grade III, STAKES ARTICLES