My Happy Face broke her maiden by a jaw-dropping 21 1/4-lengths Aug. 31 in one of the most impressive starts by any 2-year-old at the Saratoga meet. Bred in partnership by Spendthrift Farm and Shawhan Place, the filly is by Spendthrift's top-10 freshman sire Tiz Wonderful.
The gray filly, who predictably earned TDN's “Rising Star” tag, is the fifth winner by her sire. Her performance was reminiscent of Tiz Wonderful's maiden win, a 12 1/2-length romp also at Saratoga. He would go on to be undefeated at two, with victories in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club S. and Grade 3 Iroquois S.
My Happy Face broke like a shot and was up three lengths in just a few strides. Ramon Dominguez relaxed her a bit in the first furlong, but around the turn she powered away from the field while a couple a paths off the rail. The Kentucky bred really turned it into a one-horse race in the stretch, increasing her margin with every stride to hit the wire in 1:03.55 for the 5 1/2-furlongs.
My Happy Face is trained by Rudy Rodriguez for Michael Dubb, who looks like he got a bargain now after purchasing the filly for $35,000 at the 2011 Keeneland September yearling sale. She is out of the stakes winner Summer Star, whose only other foal was a winner in his lone start.