Smile Happy tops 12 in Blue Grass

Apr 06, 2022 James Scully/TwinSpires.com

A rallying second in the Feb. 19 Risen Star (G2) at Fair
Grounds, Smile Happy will attempt to
get back into the win column in Saturday’s $1 million Blue Grass (G2) at
Keeneland. The major qualifier in the Kentucky Derby series awards points on a
100-40-20-10 to the top four finishers, and Smile Happy likely needs a top
three placing to secure his participation in the first leg of the Triple Crown.

The Kenny McPeek-trained colt enters with 30 points, picking
up 10 for his convincing win in the Kentucky Jockey Club (G2) at Churchill
Downs last fall and 20 for the Risen Star, and Smile Happy has captured 2-of-3
career starts.

A dark bay colt by Runhappy, Smile Happy had little chance
against a loose-on-lead Epicenter in the Risen Star, but he closed well for
runner-up honors. Corey Lanerie retains the assignment.

Zandon missed the
break and took the overland route before winding up a respectable third in the
Risen Star, a half-length back of Smile Happy. A nose second in the Remsen (G2)
at Aqueduct last fall, the thrice-raced colt is eligible to keep moving forward
for Chad Brown, and Flavien Prat will take over riding duties.

Emmanuel broke
badly and traveled wide when making in the March 5 Fountain of Youth (G2) at
Gulfstream, finishing to fourth in his stakes debut, and the convincing maiden
and entry-level allowance winner will look to run better for Todd Pletcher with
a clean start. Luis Saez will be up.

Ethereal Road
will make his second stakes attempt for four-time Kentucky Derby winner D.
Wayne Lukas following a late-running second in the Feb. 26 Rebel (G2) at
Oaklawn Park. Rattle N Roll, winner
of the Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland last October, will try to turn
things around for McPeek following a well-beaten fourth in the Louisiana Derby
(G2) two weeks ago.

Blackadder, last
seen winning the El Camino Real Derby on the Tapeta at Golden Gate Fields, will
make his first start for trainer Rodolphe Brisset. Other runners include Tampa
Bay Derby (G2) runner-up Grantham; Grade
1-placed Commandperformance; and Sam
F. Davis (G3) third Volcanic.