Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Runhappy: When a Feel Good Story Turns Dark

Saturday's Breeders' Cup brought some great stories. Songbird's very impressive Juvenile Fillies win, Tepin and Found's wins over the boys in the Mile and Turf respectively, fan favorite Stephanie's Kitten getting her second BC race win (F/M Turf this time after winning the Juvenile Fillies Turf in 2011) and of course American Pharoah ending his career with a big win in the Classic. Then there was the Sprint, which was won by the Super Saver colt Runhappy. You can view the race here:



He was trained at the time by Maria Borell who is a former exercise rider for Barclay Tagg (aka trainer of Funny Cide) and is owned by James "Mattress Mac" McIngvale (the latter was notoriously known for in January of 2010 for offering up $2 million at Sam Houston for a race between Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta. Neither set of connections accepted the offer). It was the biggest win for the trainer who before getting Runhappy was winless in 22 starts in her training career. The team was effectively outside of the tour de force that is Pharoah, the feel good story of the Breeders' Cup both days.

Then Sunday it all changed, when Borell tweeted this:


Racing Manager Laura is Laura Wohlers, who was Runhappy's first trainer of record. In her career she is 29 for 239 with 21 seconds and 28 thirds. She also happens to be the sister in law to McIngvale. Everyone (including myself) was in shock to read this, and Jeremy Balan of the Bloodhorse did a great job of getting an article out with more information quickly.

While trainers are fired all the time, considering this was the day after Happy's biggest win it felt a little bit rotten. Most people where on her side including TVG's Nick Hines who trained for McInvale.


Not everyone though thought that Borell needed defending.


Runhappy's connections posted this onto Facebook. Saying that they had been thinking of making the change for sometime:

Hi everyone- We know you would all like a statement and thoughts about today. First of all this was not a decision made...
Posted by RunHappy on Sunday, November 1, 2015

Today, Borell released her statement also onto Facebook. In this she has said she has yet to get her 10% of Happy's BC winnings:


I haven't said anything in public in an attempt to take the high road and not say anything derogatory about my former...
Posted by Maria Borell on Tuesday, November 3, 2015


More on this situation can be found here.


In all this situation has turned from feel good to something very messy and dark. There have been people on Twitter that are calling for voters not to vote for Happy in the Male Sprinter category (which is his best chance to win an Eclipse as he won't have any in the other division he is eligible for 3yo Male). That might be taking it a little bit too far as he has accomplished quite a bit. However, Mike Watchmaker prob sums this situation up the best.

I wish both sides the best of luck in trying to getting everything resolved.

In a little bit of irony Stonestreet Stable who of course owns Rachel Alexandra (whose own daughter Rachel's Valentina finished 2nd in the Juvenile Fillies) bought Runhappy's dam Bella Jolie for $1.6 million today at Keeneland's November Sale. She is in foal to Cairo Prince. Happy's 2yo 1/2 brother is by the horse that put them on the map Curlin.

Nov 13 update: Since the post was originally published, Borell has sued the McIngvalles for her portion of Happy's earnings. She got a major boost today as Kenny McPeek, best known as the trainer of Sarava and picked out Curlin at auction is willing to testify against them (meaning the McIngvalles). Also emails and texts have been released. A new post will be created when the case is resolved.
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