Multiple Graded Stakes Winner Smile Happy Headlines $1 million Stephen Foster
At 0h22, on June 28, 2023 • By ELLIS PARK
Lucky Seven Stable’s multiple graded stakes winning colt Smile Happy headlines an accomplished field of eight older horses that entered Saturday’s 42nd running of the Grade I, $1 million Stephen Foster at Ellis Park Racing & Gaming.
The Stephen Foster is a “Win and You’re In” Challenge Series event for the Breeders’ Cup Classic (GI). The winner of the Stephen Foster will receive an automatic entry to the 2023 running of the Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic and have their pre-entry and entry fees waved along with a travel stipend if they are traveling outside the state of California. The Breeders’ Cup World Championships will be held at Santa Anita on Nov. 3-4.
Run at 1 1/8 miles, the Stephen Foster will go as Race 10 of 11 at 4:26 p.m. (all times Central). First post is 11:45 a.m. The Stephen Foster is the centerpiece of a six pack of stakes events Saturday at Ellis Park. The other featured races on the program are the $400,000 Fleur de Lis (GII), the $400,000 Wise Dan (GII), the $225,000 American Derby (Listed), the $225,000 Kelly’s Landing (Listed) and the $225,000 Tepin.
Smile Happy won his second-career Grade II contest on Kentucky Oaks Day when he powered home to a two-length score in the $600,000 Alysheba (GII). As a 2-year-old, Smile Happy was victorious in the $400,000 Kentucky Jockey Club (GII) before he tested the Road to the Kentucky Derby. The son of Runhappy qualified for Kentucky Derby 148 but finished eighth behind Rich Strike. Trained by Kenny McPeek, Smile Happy’s 4-year-old resume includes an allowance victory and a third-place finish in the Oaklawn Mile (GIII). Jockey Corey Lanerie will have the mount aboard Smile Happy in the Stephen Foster and the duo will break from post No. 5.
