Hapyy Like a Fool powered to a 6 1/2-length win over the sloppy going at Pimlico on Friday in the $150,000 Miss Preakness S. (G3), the second graded stakes win for the 3-year-old Distorted Humor filly.
Trained by Wesley Ward for Merribelle Stable, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith and Mrs. John Magnier, Happy Like a Fool won the Matron S. (G3) last October.
Happy Like a Fool controlled the pace of the Miss Preakness from the outset. Up a half-length after going the first half-mile in :46.13, Happy Like a Fool easily brushed off Artistic Diva at the top of the stretch and drew off for the eye-catching score. The final time for the six furlongs was 1:10.12.
“She broke really well. I just chased her out of there to get position,” said her rider Tyler Gaffalione. “When I asked her at the top of the lane, she really responded. Wesley did a good job of having her ready. It’s pretty sloppy; it’s not the worst thing and she could handle it.”
Happy Like a Fool has won three of six starts and earned $257,697. Out of Lastofthesummerwine, she is a half-sister to Grade 2 winner Play the King. The chestnut filly is the third graded stakes winner this month for Distorted Humor, who will be represented by Quip in Saturday’s Preakness S. (G1).
