Happy Jack

Happy Jack made his career debut in a six-furlong maiden special weight race at Santa Anita Park on Jan. 22, 2022. He pulled off a 24.40-1 upset, rallying after a stalking trip to win by 1 1/4 lengths.

After an unplaced finish in the Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis Stakes on Feb. 6, Happy Jack took his first serious step toward a potential berth in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve on March 5. in the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes. He made up mild ground in the stretch and finished third to bank qualifying points toward the Derby. 

Happy Jack made his final start before the first Saturday in May on Apr. 9, in the Grade 1 Runhappy Santa Anita Derby. He closed and finished third, earning 20 more Derby qualifying points and placing him on the bubble for a spot in the starting gate for that race. 

Happy Jack drew into the Kentucky Derby and finished 14^th before running eighth in the Preakness Stakes two weeks later. Happy Jack got back on track with an allowance win at Churchill Downs June 19, 2022, to halt a five-race winless stretch.

Happy Jack had to wait quite a while for his next win, but he finally got it on June 1, 2024, when able to top a four-horse field with a front-running effort to take the Grade 2 $200,000 Triple Bend Stakes going seven furlongs at Santa Anita.