Runhappy and Prado romp to King's Bishop Victory

While the majority of the racing world’s attention will be focused on American Pharoah and the Travers Stakes later today, another Grade I event at Saratoga on Saturday offered racing fans a look at a very impressive three-year old colt. Midwest-based Runhappy and veteran rider Edgar Prado dominated the King’s Bishop Stakes, a seven-furlong event that originated in 1984, from start-to-finish. The son of Super Saver simply “ran them off their feet” finishing seven-eights of a mile in a dazzling time of 1:20.54. It was four-lengths back to runner-up Limousine Liberal and two-back to 5-2 favorite Holy Boss, a Steve Asmussen runner that just held third. It was Prado’s third victory in the event tying him with John Velazquez and Mike Smith for the most wins in the King’s Bishop.

Trainer Maria Borell, now 4 for 4 in 2015, was able to capture her first Grade I victory in dominating fashion despite brisk early fractions of 22.43 and 44.54. Runhappy dueled with Limousine Liberal early, wrested control into the turn, inched as they hit the stretch. The six-furlong time of 1:08.17 did little to slow him down, as he opened up in the stretch and set a stakes record time of 1:20.54.

In her post-race interview, Borell stated, “I’m overwhelmed.” She continued by saying, “We were pretty confident going in. He couldn't have been training any better and we wouldn't have spent the money to come up here if we thought he couldn't win. I was a little nervous at the early fractions but I knew he could do it. We really prepared him well at home. I knew he was good, but that was really good."

The 2013 Keeneland September purchase won his maiden effort in convincing fashion at Turfway Park in late December, but had a troubled break in January’s LeComte Stakes at Fairgrounds and was not seen for nearly six months. When he reappeared, he was in the hands of new trainer, Borell, and he has not lost since. After a win in the slop at Indiana Downs and a win at Ellis Park on July 31, owner James McIngvale and Borell decided to ship eastward to take on the “big boys” at the “Spa.” The result was an eye-popping front running effort and the lions’ share of the $500,000 purse.

The favorite Holy Boss appeared to be in perfect stalking position throughout, but when they hit the top of the stretch it became clear he did not have enough to run down the eventual winner. The son of Street Boss had won four straight including the Grade II Amsterdam on August 1 over the Saratoga surface and still ran relatively well despite the disappointing third.

Like Runhappy, second-place finisher Limousine Liberal came into the King’s Bishop lightly raced, but he made up for his lack of experience with pure speed. The son of Successful Appeal broke on top and had an early lead on the backstretch before being overtaken by the eventual winner.

In one of the bigger underlays in recent memory, Godolphin Racing owned Watershed, was made the 7-2 second choice. The clearly talented Goldolphin runner broke a bit slow, dropped back a bit early, but was able to improve his position throughout and close for fourth. Despite being severely overbet on Saturday, this colt appears to have a promising future for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin.

In another disappointing performance, Competitive Edge was off the board for the third straight start. It was a troubled voyage this time that may have cost the Todd Pletcher trainee, but one has to wonder if he is the same as he was during the early part of 2015. The colt that entered Belmont Stakes Day undefeated in four starts has underperformed in his last few, including a fourth-place effort earlier in the month in the Haskell Invitational against American Pharoah. It will be interesting to see where this colt is seen next.

The seven-furlong race that received Grade III status in 1987 was upgraded to Grade II in 1992 and to a Grade I in 1999. Past star sprinters such as Housebuster, Salt Lake, More Than Ready and most recently The Big Beast have won it. The winner paid $24.60, $13.80, and $6.70. Long shot Limousine Liberal paid $16.00 and $8.70, while Holy Boss paid $3.90 to Show. The $2 Trifecta 11-6-7 returned $2138.